Zion scores 22 points in debut, but Pelicans fall short

Zion Williamson scored 22 points in his NBA debut, but LaMarcus Aldridge topped him with 32 points and 14 rebounds as the visiting San Antonio Spurs defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 121-117 on Wednesday night.

Williamson, the first overall draft choice, missed the first 44 games of the season while rehabbing from arthroscopic knee surgery.

He struggled for three quarters before scoring 17 consecutive Pelicans points to briefly give them the lead in the fourth quarter before sitting out the final 5 ½ minutes as Spurs regained control.

Williamson also amassed seven rebounds, three assists and five turnovers while playing 18 minutes, 18 seconds.

HAWKS RALLY FROM 21 DOWN TO BEAT CLIPPERS >> John Collins scored 33 points as the Atlanta Hawks, playing without Trae Young, rallied from a 21-point deficit at home to stun the Los Angeles Clippers 102-95.

The Clippers seemingly seized control with a 20-0 run in the first quarter, despite missing starters Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Patrick Beverly.

WESTBROOK, HARDEN LEAD

ROCKETS PAST NUGGETS >> Russell Westbrook had 28 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists, James Harden added 27 points, and the Houston Rockets snapped a four-game losing streak with a 121-105 home victory over the Denver Nuggets. CELTICS’ TATUM SCORES 23 BEFORE INJURY >> Jayson Tatum scored 23 points before leaving the game in the third quarter with a groin injury as the Boston Celtics routed the Memphis Grizzlies 119-95 at home. Memphis

has lost two in a row since posting a season-high, seven-game win streak. MAVS’ FEARS CONFIRMED

WITH SEASON-ENDING INJURY FOR POWELL >> Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell will miss the rest of the season with a torn right Achilles tendon, a blow to a team contending for a playoff spot for the first time in four years.

The club confirmed Wednesday the diagnosis it had feared after Powell was injured in the first quarter of a 110-107 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.