Williamson leads Pelicans past Celtics
Pelicans 123
Celtics 108
NEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson had 21 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Boston Celtics 123-108 on Sunday for their first victory since the rookie star joined the lineup. Jrue Holiday had 25 points, JJ Redick added 17 and Brandon Ingram had 16 to help Orleans snap a two-game slide.
Williamson played his most minutes yet in his third game back from arthroscopic knee surgery performed the day before the regular season opened. He had played the first five or so minutes of each quarter in his first two games, but the Pelicans made an adjustment to his fourth-quarter usage to allow the NBA’s top overall draft choice out of Duke to be on the court for the final minutes Sunday.
It paid off. Williamson scored eight points in the final three minutes — highlighted by a dunk on a baseline cut as he was fouled — and the Pelicans pulled away.
Kemba Walker scored 35 points, Gordon Hayward had 23 and Jaylen Brown 20 for the Celtics. They fell behind for good in the first quarter and trailed by as many as 23 in the third quarter. KNICKS 110, NETS 107
In New York, Julius Randle had 22 points and 15 rebounds to lead New York past Brooklyn, which played without Kyrie Irving following the news of Kobe Bryant’s death.
Madison Square Garden was the site of some of Bryant’s biggest highlights and his picture was on the marquis outside. Inside, there was little of the energy that MSG contained whenever Bryant played here, save for a “Kobe! Kobe!” chant after a moment of silence before the game.
HAWKS 152, WIZARDS 133
In Atlanta, Trae Young had 45 points and 14 assists in an emotional game for the first-time All-Star, helping Atlanta beat Washington.
Young looked up toward the rafters several times to honor Kobe Bryant, his mentor and favorite NBA star who died in a helicopter crash earlier in the day. Young wore a No. 8 jersey to acknowledge Bryant during the first few seconds of the game and dressed up his shoes with a heartfelt tribute as well.
RAPTORS 110, SPURS 106
In San Antonio, Texas, Pascal Siakam scored 35 points to lead Toronto past San Antonio.
The teams each dribbled out the 24-second shot clock in remembrance of the No. 24 worn by Bryant. CLIPPERS 112, MAGIC 97
In Orlando, Fla., Kawhi Leonard scored 15 of his 31 points in a big third quarter and Los Angeles beat Orlando.
Leonard scored seven straight points for the Clippers in the quarter to help Los Angeles stretch a four-point lead to 10 as they pulled away to their sixth win in seven games.
NUGGETS 117, ROCKETS 110
In Denver, Nikola Jokic had 24 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season and Jerami Grant scored a season-high 25 points in Denver’s victory over Houston.
The Nuggets held a moment of silence before the tip-off, with fans chanting, “Kobe! Kobe!” right after.
GRIZZLIES 114, SUNS 109
In Memphis, Tenn., Ja Morant scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help Memphis hold off Phoenix.
Playing hours after news that former NBA star Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter accident, the Grizzlies won the opening tip and immediately took a 24-second clock violation. When the Suns took possession, they stayed in the backcourt for an 8-second violation — the 24 and 8 representing Bryant’s two numbers during his NBA career. As the Memphis crowd rose in appreciation of Bryant, they began chanting “Kobe! Kobe!”