Zion Williamson Shines Amid Pelicans' Losses, McCollum Praises Progress

The Dallas Mavericks narrowly defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 137-136 in a thrilling matchup, with both Kyrie Irving and PJ Washington praising Zion Williamson's performance despite the loss. Williamson scored 29 points and displayed significant talent, though his injury history remains a concern for the Pelicans. CJ McCollum also contributed 23 points and 8 assists, but the team's overall efforts fell short, highlighting their struggles on a recent road trip. Following the game, Williamson's ongoing recovery from injuries was discussed, with teammates noting his aggressive playstyle since returning. Despite his impressive stats, including an average of 23.6 points since his return, Williamson is still under a minutes restriction to prevent further injury. The Pelicans, now out of playoff contention, are taking precautions to manage their star player's health moving forward.