New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dunks the ball against Indiana Pacers center Jay Huff (32) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Red-hot Pelicans extend win streak behind Zion Williamson's big night

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Dec 20, 2025 10:31 PM ET

The 2025-26 season has not gone quite how the New Orleans Pelicans had envisioned. The never-ending injury saga surrounding star Zion Williamson has played a major role in New Orleans entering Saturday's game with a record of 6-22.

As of late, though, the Pelicans have been playing good basketball, entering Saturday on a three-game winning streak. That was extended as New Orleans knocked off the Indiana Pacers 128-109.

Zion Williamson's big night

Williamson was playing in just his second game back from injury, and he played phenomenally. Coming off the bench, he poured in 29 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field and 11-of-13 from the free-throw line.

The 29 points for Williamson matched a season-high, a total he's accumulated now three times this season. The last time Williamson posted 29 points before Saturday was Nov. 24 against the Chicago Bulls.

Zion Williamson: CRAFTY

He has 27 as the Pels lead in the 4Q!

Tap to watch: https://t.co/gW6naXOCPp pic.twitter.com/zytqV5Zhcw
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2025

Four-game winning streak is a confidence better

The season for New Orleans is already a lost cause at 15 games under .500, but it is now all about building confidence.

Building a culture with young players can be important for the Pelicans' future, and it is winning streaks like this current one that can be important. Especially with production coming from futures of the franchise like Williamson, Derik Queen, Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy.

Upcoming schedule for the Pelicans

New Orleans will have a chance to extend its winning streak Monday when it hosts the Dallas Mavericks (11-18). A win in that game would be yet another step in the process of building toward a future and getting back to the postseason for just the third time since 2019.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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