New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Zion Williamson takes over down stretch on career-best night

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 12/29/22

Zion Williamson took matters into his own hands in New Orleans's win over Minnesota.

Williamson scored the final 14 points for New Orleans as the Pelicans downed the Timberwolves, 119-118.

He hit the go-ahead free throw with four seconds remaining, and the team held on when Anthony Edwards couldn't connect on his shot attempt.

A defining moment in Williamson's amazing sequence was when he forced a turnover on a D'Angelo Russell pass and steamrolled his way to a dunk for a two-point lead with 39 seconds remaining.

GET OUT OF THIS MAN'S WAY!!

Career high 42 points for Zion!! pic.twitter.com/NcmPSooRGi
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) December 29, 2022

New Orleans (22-12, first in Western Conference) has won four straight in what's been an up-and-down month. The Pelicans started December by winning five consecutive games, then lost four straight before this current winning streak.

Williamson missed the past three games and returned with a career-high 43 points on 14-of-21 shooting in front of a sold-out crowd.

The Pelicans have been without star Brandon Ingram in all but 15 games this season, and Williamson has emerged as the go-to scorer on this team.

Through 26 games, he's averaging 25.8 points on 60.7 percent shooting with 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.

If it wasn't obvious before, it most certainly is now. Williamson is the captain of this ship, and he looks ready to steer the Pelicans to places they've never been before.

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