Zion Williamson leads Pelicans to fifth straight win

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts to a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Zion Williamson's impressive play off bench leads Pelicans to fifth straight win

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Dec 23, 2025 12:07 AM ET

Led by their superstar in a new role, the New Orleans Pelicans have now won five games in a row. A team with only eight total wins on the season has become one of the hottest teams in the NBA thanks to the strong play from Zion Williamson.

The 25-year-old, oft-injured Williamson, who began coming off the bench when he returned from a hip injury in mid December, was at his best on Monday night.

Williamson was six points and one rebound away from a 30-point double-double in the Pelicans' 119-113 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Pelicans' Zion Williamson did it all against the Mavericks

Williamson scored 24 points while connecting on 10-of-14 shots for a 71.4% clip from the field in 25 minutes of action, his second highest output of the month. Williamson was also a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe and brought down nine boards and added three assists, including a lob that brought the house down.

ZION ALLEY-OOP FROM HALF

He finds Karlo Matkovic as the Pelicans and Mavs are battling it out. pic.twitter.com/tRC3054Rcf
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2025

Zion Williamson has embraced his new role coming off the bench

After playing about 30 minutes every night when healthy earlier in the season, Williamson has made the most of the decision by interim head coach interim coach James Borrego to bring him off the bench. It started with his first game back on Dec. 14, when Williamson scored 18 with six rebounds in 27 minutes at Chicago in his first game since Nov. 29.

He followed that performance with only nine points against Houston before putting up tying his season-high with 29 points on Saturday as the Pelicans dominated the Indiana Pacers, 128-109.

Most impressive of all, Williamson has been incredibly efficient lately. He's averaged 26.5 points and shot 67.9% from the field in his two games.

Williamson entered Monday averaging 21.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists. And even though the Pelicans are far from contending despite their current win streak and Williamson's recent production, New Orleans fans have been able to experience a new jolt of energy based on maximizing the potential of the franchise's former No. 1 overall pick.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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