‘I love this s**t’: Zion’s epic response after all-star snub as Russ rewrites history: NBA Wrap

Zion Williamson drove for the game-winning layup within the waning seconds Friday, lifting the New Orleans Pelicans to a 114-113 NBA victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Williamson completed with 33 factors and eight rebounds, connecting on 12 of his 21 photographs from the sphere. His dunk with 28.5 seconds remaining pulled the Pelicans inside one and with 3.8 seconds left, he powered by the Spurs defence for the game-winner.

Devin Vassell scored 28 factors for San Antonio however missed a three-pointer on the remaining buzzer.

Sensational Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama added 16 factors and 14 rebounds for San Antonio, whose 18 turnovers have been twice as many because the Pelicans’.

“I love this competitive s**t. I live for stuff like this,” Williamson, the highest decide within the 2019 draft, mentioned after the groups traded the lead 5 occasions within the fourth quarter. “Playing in games like this is a lot of fun.”

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Asked the place Zion’s remaining shot ranks amongst his game-winners, Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado mentioned: “It’s gotta be number one right? I don’t know how he made it. I’m serious.”

The dominant efficiency from the two-time All-Star got here a day after he failed to realize a nod for this 12 months’s All-Star recreation when the 14 reserves for the mid-season showcase have been introduced on Thursday.

Atlanta’s Trae Young, additionally snubbed within the All-Star choices, scored 32 factors and handed out 15 assists to steer the Hawks in a 129-120 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Young got here into the competition averaging 27 factors and 10.9 assists per recreation however didn’t get an All-Star nod.

His response was his 76th profession recreation with at the very least 30 factors and 10 assists — tied for the fifth-most such video games in NBA historical past.

He related on seven of 11 from three-point vary and got here up with three steals for good measure because the Hawks notched their third straight win.

Kevin Durant scored 35 with eight rebounds and eight assists to steer the Suns, who had gained 9 of their earlier 11 video games. Devin Booker added 24, however after twice taking the lead within the third quarter, Phoenix coughed up eight of their 17 turnovers within the fourth and the Hawks held on.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder mentioned that Young, like every NBA participant, would relish an All-Star Game look, however he didn’t suppose that drove the 23-year-old.

“Trae, one of the things that’s been great about what he’s doing is he’s not playing for accolades,” Snyder mentioned. “He’s playing to win.”

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– Westbrook milestone –

It was a milestone night time for Los Angeles Clippers guard Russell Westbrook, who turned simply the twenty fifth NBA participant to achieve 25,000 profession factors.

Westbrook scored 23 off the bench to assist the Clippers beat the Pistons 136-125 in Detroit.

Kawhi Leonard scored 33 factors to steer the Clippers, who rallied from an early 14-point deficit and by no means trailed within the second half.

Westbrook hit the 25,000-point milestone with a operating layup late within the fourth quarter that pushed the Clippers’ result in 134-115.

He was congratulated on the bench by James Harden — one other 25,000-point membership member — and different teammates.

“It’s a fun group,” Westbrook mentioned of a Clippers squad that has gained 10 of their final 12 video games. “Just to see all the love and support here from the coaches, from my teammates — I’m truly, truly grateful for that.”

Elsewhere, the Orlando Magic shocked Western Conference contenders Minnesota 108-106.

The defeat coupled with Oklahoma City’s 126-106 victory over the Charlotte Hornets left the Timberwolves and Thunder tied atop the Western Conference at 34-15.

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero scored 23 factors, and the Magic overcame an early 17-point deficit to shock the Timberwolves.

Rudy Gobert and Anthony Edwards scored 22 factors every and Gobert added 16 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who scored simply 18 factors on 25 per cent capturing within the fourth quarter.

In Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 factors with 5 rebounds and 9 assists to steer the Thunder. Australia’s Josh Giddey had eight factors, six rebounds and 4 assists in his 19 minutes.

In the final recreation of the night time, two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic delivered his fifteenth triple-double of the season, scoring 27 factors with 22 rebounds and 12 assists to steer the defending champion Denver Nuggets to a 120-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.