Panzura postgame wrap: Pelicans 128, Suns 117

Pelicans (17-8), Suns (16-10)

Zion Williamson spent April watching from the sideline as his teammates scratched and clawed every minute of a first-round playoff series defeat to Phoenix. On Friday, the forward – who also missed an Oct. 28 game against the Suns due to injury – finally got his chance to face one of the NBA’s premier clubs. To say he capitalized on that opportunity would be an understatement, as the third-year pro racked up 35 points, including 22 in the second half, helping to power first-place New Orleans to its sixth straight win and hand Phoenix its third consecutive loss. In the first tilt of a two-game weekend series between the Western Conference’s two best squads entering Friday, the Pelicans stretched their lead to 1.5 games on the Suns.

Williamson drove to the hoop and drew a foul, sinking a free throw to give New Orleans a nine-point lead with just 1:22 remaining. He punctuated the night with a 360-degree lefty breakaway dunk just before the final buzzer.

PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME

Williamson seemed as intent as he’s been all season to take over a game in the second half Friday, often running the New Orleans offensive attack from the top of the circle, setting up drives around frontcourt defenders who come not keep up with his quickness and athleticism. He finished 13/17 from the field and 9/12 at the foul line, while adding seven rebounds, four assists and one steal (the latter resulting in a breakaway dunk that inspired the home crowd again).