After a slow start, Zion Willamson exploded for 17 fourth quarter points in his NBA debut Wednesday night, and found it “very tough” to be on a minutes restriction.
Williamson, 19, finished with 22 points for the Pelicans, who fell 121-117 to the visiting San Antonio Spurs.
Head coach Alvin Gentry said New Orleans’ medical staff made the call to sit out the prized rookie for the game’s final five minutes.
Per The AP:
“The medical people said that was it,” Gentry said, alluding to precautionary restrictions placed on Williamson’s playing time in the early days of his return to action.
“Me, personally, I don’t want any restrictions,” Williamson said. “But I’m not a doctor or a trainer, so I’ve just got to listen to them.”
He certainly found his rhythm in the fourth quarter of his first game, raising hopes for what lies ahead in New Orleans’ remaining 37 games.
“It was everything I dreamed of, except for the losing part,” Williamson said. “Just the energy the crowd brought, the energy the city brought, it was electric and I’m just grateful that they did that. So it was a dream come true to finally get out there, but at the end of the day I did want to win, so we’ve got to look to the next game.”
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