LeBron’s 40 Bests Zion, Sends Lakers Past Pelicans 118-109
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- LeBron James sees a long, prosperous future ahead of Zion Williamson and the up-tempo New Orleans Pelicans.
In the immediate present, James and Anthony Davis are a whole lot closer to basketball’s ultimate goal, as they proved in their first meeting with their fellow No. 1 overall draft pick.
James had 40 points and eight rebounds in his first career meeting with Williamson while leading the Los Angeles Lakers to their sixth straight victory, 118-109 over New Orleans on Tuesday night.
Williamson had 29 points and six rebounds in his first showdown with James and Davis, his predecessor as the Pelicans’ centerpiece.
James and Williamson still haven’t talked, but the 35-year-old James sees greatness in the teenager.
Williamson was still injured for the Pelicans’ first two meetings of the season with the Lakers, but his delayed debut in Hollywood was as entertaining as everyone hoped. In his 13th NBA game, Williamson scored at least 20 points for the ninth consecutive time, but managed only one field goal in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers still haven’t lost to the team with which they made the blockbuster summer trade that has appeared to benefit both teams. Davis has been just as good as the Lakers hoped in propelling them back to NBA championship contention, while the Pelicans are getting an All-Star season from Brandon Ingram alongside Williamson in an increasingly potent core.
Davis had 21 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots while improving to 3-0 against New Orleans. Davis and Williamson briefly were theoretical teammates during the time between the draft and Davis’ departure for the Lakers, and Williamson admitted he entertained the idea they might play together, even though Davis had requested a trade.
Although Davis missed 15 of his 21 shots and failed to score 40 points against New Orleans for the first time, James picked him up with a masterfully efficient, 17-for-27 performance that included five 3-pointers.
Williamson had several impressive dunks in his usual fearsome floor game, and only six missed free throws kept him from surpassing his career high of 32 points.
In the immediate present, James and Anthony Davis are a whole lot closer to basketball’s ultimate goal, as they proved in their first meeting with their fellow No. 1 overall draft pick.
James had 40 points and eight rebounds in his first career meeting with Williamson while leading the Los Angeles Lakers to their sixth straight victory, 118-109 over New Orleans on Tuesday night.
Williamson had 29 points and six rebounds in his first showdown with James and Davis, his predecessor as the Pelicans’ centerpiece.
James and Williamson still haven’t talked, but the 35-year-old James sees greatness in the teenager.
Williamson was still injured for the Pelicans’ first two meetings of the season with the Lakers, but his delayed debut in Hollywood was as entertaining as everyone hoped. In his 13th NBA game, Williamson scored at least 20 points for the ninth consecutive time, but managed only one field goal in the fourth quarter.
The Lakers still haven’t lost to the team with which they made the blockbuster summer trade that has appeared to benefit both teams. Davis has been just as good as the Lakers hoped in propelling them back to NBA championship contention, while the Pelicans are getting an All-Star season from Brandon Ingram alongside Williamson in an increasingly potent core.
Davis had 21 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots while improving to 3-0 against New Orleans. Davis and Williamson briefly were theoretical teammates during the time between the draft and Davis’ departure for the Lakers, and Williamson admitted he entertained the idea they might play together, even though Davis had requested a trade.
Although Davis missed 15 of his 21 shots and failed to score 40 points against New Orleans for the first time, James picked him up with a masterfully efficient, 17-for-27 performance that included five 3-pointers.
Williamson had several impressive dunks in his usual fearsome floor game, and only six missed free throws kept him from surpassing his career high of 32 points.