For the New Orleans Pelicans, Wednesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves was a chance to show just how mentally tough they were.
The Pelicans were 48 hours removed from tying the franchise record for worst regular season loss in franchise history.
On top of that, they were still dealing with the season-ending loss of Trey Murphy.
The Pelicans showed plenty of grit as Zion Williamson led the the Pels to a 119-115 victory over the Timberwolves at the Target Center.
"It shows the resiliency of our team," Williamson said in his postgame television interview.
Williamson finished with 29 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.
“(Zion's) growth is being able to identify how the defense is playing against him and moving the chess pieces around," said Pelicans coach Willie Green. "I thought he did an amazing job of attacking and trusting his teammates."
The Pelicans (19-51) snapped a three-game losing streak. They responded in a big way after Sunday’s 46-point blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons. Murphy tore his labrum and partially tore the rotator cuff in his right shoulder in the opening minute of that game.
Murphy’s absence wiped 21.2 points per game from the Pelicans’ lineup.
“You try to move forward,” Green said prior to Wednesday’s win in Minnesota. “It’s by committee. That won’t be on one particular player. Guys will do it together. That’s a part of the beauty in basketball is you get a chance to step on the floor together and get after it. We’ll need guys to step up in Trey’s absence.”
They did.
The Pelicans trailed by as many as 14 in the first half, but roared back to take a 62-61 lead. Williamson scored 16 of his points in the first half. CJ McCollum, who had one of the worst games of his NBA career Sunday, bounced back to help Williamson shoulder some of the load. McCollum finished with 18 points, bouncing back from a game he made just 1 of 15 shots, including 0-for-7 on 3-pointers. Bruce Brown came off the bench and had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Pelicans’ starting lineup of McCollum, Williamson, Jose Alvarado, Kelly Olynyk and Yves Miss was the 35th different one the Pels have used this season. Olynyk, Missi and Jordan Hawkins scored 13 points each.
"Collectively as a group, this was an extremely well-executed games," Green said. "All the guys that touched the floor contributed in a big way."
The Pelicans, 1-1 against Minnesota this season, play the Timberwolves (40-31) again Friday.
“We’re playing against teams that are preparing to play in the playoffs,” Green said. “That’s an opportunity for guys to step on the floor and see where they measure up. The non-negotiables for us is we’ve got to compete at a high level and play together. Work and outwork and continue to go after it and have fun doing that.”