Zion Williamson appears to be returning to form with the New Orleans pelicans late in the 2024-2025 season. While Williamson missed a large portion of the first half of this season, he has now played in 21 of his team's last 30 games.
Williamson has concentrated his efforts on the offensive side of the ball, having scored 20 or more points in six consecutive games. Williamson has also made more of a concerted effort to distribute the ball, and it has led to wins. In games when Williamson has finished with nine or more assists, the Pelicans are 5-0.
On Tuesday night, the Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 127-120. Williamson finished with his second triple-double in his past six games, including a career-high 12 assists.
Despite all of these tremendous accolades, Shaquille O'Neal is not impressed.
Shaq slams Zion's 22-10-12 performance
"You giving him props for that? I need more. Anybody can get 20 points now. That's not good enough. I'm not impressed by that"
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24 ) pic.twitter.com/oJENda9hH5
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 12, 2025
"You giving him props for that? I need more. I need 26, 27. I demand for my franchise player playing at the max. Anybody can get 20 points now...That's good, but that's not good enough...I'm not impressed by that. You need to do more, Zion, I love you." Shaq said on the "Postgame Show" on TNT.
Williamson's biggest issue in his young career has been health. Since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2019, he's only played 60 or more games in a season twice. At 24, Williamson has played just 27 games this season. He has three years remaining on an original five-year, $197 million contract.
Behind Williamson's strong play, the Pelicans are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but they still possess the second worst record in the Western Conference at 18-48.
Related: NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal Puts Joel Embiid on Blast After Slow Start vs. Knicks
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This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 12:51 AM.