Williamson loses shoe, but Pelicans get key 109-99 win

Zion Williamson said he felt “alive again” after getting a chance to help his team close out a game.

Brandon Ingram scored 24 points, Williamson added 23 points and matched his career high with five assists in his most extensive playing time since NBA restart, and New Orleans Pelicans got a much-needed 109-99 victory over Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.

“My competitive spirit was re and I’m glad Coach and whole team trusted me to finish game out,” Williamson said.

After being limited to a combined 29 minutes in his first two games back, Williamson played 25 minutes, although he appeared to get fatigued when he didn’t hustle back on defense and was taken out with 6 minutes to play. But he returned a short time later and helped Pelicans close on a 12-6 run.

“ medical guys thought that he was able to go back in and play,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. ”... He played really good down stretch.”

game also included ar Williamson shoe incident.

Williamson drove lane in third quarter and landed awkwardly, losing his left shoe. However, big man quickly put shoe back on and remained in game. It brought back memories of when n-Duke freshman sensation injured his knee in February 2019 when his foot ripped through side of his shoe as he attempted to plant his foot.

Ingram was solid late, making a pair of jumpers including a transition 3 to help hold off Grizzlies.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 22 points for Grizzlies, who fell to 0-3 since NBA restart. Ja Morant struggled from field, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-21 shooting.

“Our offense has got to be better,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “... If we play a little better on offensive end I think we will be in a good spot."

After game, Morant tweeted, “instead of giving up on face of adversity, you should face it with a positive attitude & smile.”

Lonzo Ball had called it a “must-win game" after Pelicans lost ir first two games since restart, dropping m to 11th place in Western Conference standings.

w y’re 2 1/2 games behind eighth-place Grizzlies. ninth-place team can qualify for a play-in matchup against eighth-place team as long as it is within four games. Pelicans still need to move past Spurs and Trail Blazers to get to ninth place.

“It gives us a start, kwing that we have something to build on," Williamson said. "Those two losses were bad but y’re both a learning experience. So this win gives us a start.”

TIP-INS:

Grizzlies: Morant took a knee to groin as he attempted to defend Ball, who was elevating as he drove to basket. Morant remained in game after spending about a minute on floor. ... Grayson Allen had ar impressive night with 17 points off bench on five 3-pointers.

Pelicans: Made just 24 of 39 free throws. Even JJ Redick, a 91 percent free throw shooter, missed back-to-back free throws at one point.

OLD BUDDIES

After game, former AAU teammates Williamson and Morant shared an embrace. Morant retweeted a video of hug and wrote, “being from SC (South Carolina) you don’t see this often. Let’s continue to stay solid & be a great role model to people who look up to us.”

UP NEXT:

Grizzlies: Play Utah on Wednesday.

Pelicans: Play Sacramento on Thursday.

Im credits: AP