Zion Williamson’s big night carries Pelicans past 76ers
FILE – Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on March 18, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. Steph Chambers/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Steph Chambers / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Zion Williamson had 37 points and a career-high 15 rebounds as the host New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 101-94 on Friday night.
Williamson tied a career-high with eight assists and made 15 of a career-high 28 field-goal attempts. The big night came one game after his record streak of 25 consecutive games with at least 20 points on 50 percent or better shooting, which he shared with Shaquille O’Neal, ended in a loss at Brooklyn.
37 points.
15 rebounds (career high).
8 assists (ties career high).@Zionwilliamson goes off. #WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/rT9ymuCPMF— NBA (@NBA) April 10, 2021
Brandon Ingram returned from a five-game absence caused by a foot injury and scored 17, though he made just 5 of 21 shots. Willy Hernangomez had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaxson Hayes scored 12 points.
Tobias Harris led the Sixers with 23 points, Joel Embiid had 14 (less than half of his 29.9 average) on 5-of-16 shooting, Furkan Korkmaz scored 12 and Ben Simmons 10. Simmons also had nine rebounds, six assists and five steals.
The score was tied at halftime and two more times early in the third quarter before Ingram, who was 2-for-12 from the floor in the first half, made a 3-pointer to give New Orleans a 62-59 lead.
Steven Adams added two baskets as the Pelicans increased the lead to 68-61.
New Orleans pushed the lead to as many as nine points before finishing the quarter with a 76-68 lead.
Williamson scored the first six points of the fourth quarter before Korkmaz answered with a 3-pointer.
Hernangomez scored off a Williamson assist, and Williamson added two free throws to give the Pelicans an 86-71 lead.
Philadelphia chipped away at the lead and got within 94-87 with four minutes remaining.
Williamson responded with consecutive baskets for a 98-87 lead before the Sixers scored the next five points. But Williamson split the defense for a dunk and a 100-92 lead with 1:08 left.
Five of the Pelicans’ 10 baskets in the first quarter came on dunks and they had a 23-22 lead at the end of the period.
There were seven lead changes in the second quarter, which ended in the sixth tie of the period at 50-all.
