Zion Williamson scored a restart-high 25 points in Pelicans’ loss

Zion Williamson recorded his third straight 20-point effort on Sunday, though the Pelicans’ playoff hopes took a massive hit with the loss.

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New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson recorded his third straight 20-point game on Sunday during a 122-113 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at The Field House.

Williamson scored a restart-high 25 points in 27 minutes while he also added seven rebounds, including five on the offensive end, and one assist. Williamson shot 10-of-20 from the field and went 6-of-7 from the free-throw line after air-balling his first attempt.

With the loss, the Pelicans’ playoff hopes took a massive hit. New Orleans can now be eliminated from playoff contention with a win by the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers after posting a 2-4 record during the restart.

The Pelicans trailed by as many as 20 points in the third quarter but managed to cut the lead to three points. After playing sparingly during the restart, rookies Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaxson Hayes helped lead the comeback attempt.

The 27 minutes played by Williamson was his most during the season restart. He played in six-minute bursts throughout the first three quarters but made two appearances in the fourth quarter and logged 10 minutes, recording 10 points.

Overall, the Pelicans have looked lethargic at times at the Wide World of Sports Complex and have not appeared to be fully engaged. The Pelicans have struggled with starting off games and that was once again the case on Sunday, trailing by as many as 11 points in the first period.

While it is still possible to be alive in the playoff race after Sunday, the Pelicans have not played like a playoff-caliber team at Disney, despite the efforts by the NBA to ensure they were included.

The Pelicans play next on Tuesday vs. the Sacramento Kings.

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