Zion Williamson led the New Orleans Pelicans to a 127-120 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. Williamson played an all-around brand of basketball with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists on 61.5% shooting from the field. The Clippers’ defense couldn’t do anything against the 6-foot-6 power forward as he captured his second career triple-double.
Since recovering from a hamstring injury early in the season, Williamson has played with much gusto. He’s played 20 games after missing two months of action early in the 2024-25 season. The former Duke star has averaged 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists during that span, as the team gradually increased his minutes on the floor.
After the game against Los Angeles, he was asked about what he said earlier in the season. Williamson said that he plays the best basketball when he feels like himself, making him unstoppable. The former top pick was asked if he felt like himself in the game facing the Clippers.
“It was a small example of it. I stand on that,” Williamson said. “When I am myself, I don’t feel like nobody can stop me.”
"I stand on that. When I am myself, I dont feel like nobody can stop me"
— Zion Williamson pic.twitter.com/OrnN2QNdya
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) March 12, 2025
As of late, the star forward has left a strong impression on the fans that he’s starting to take things seriously. Additionally, there was a report in February that he shed 20 pounds off his weight. He started the season at 284 and is now 264.
NBA legend not impressed with Zion Williamson’s recent triple-double
Zion Williamson’s recent performances have shown his desire to win and live up to his star potential. However, he still can’t please everybody, not even basketball legends. After his triple-double on Tuesday, former star Shaquille O’Neal ripped him and demanded he needs to see more from the Pelicans star.
“You’re giving him props for that?” O’Neal asked. “I need more. Yeah, I need more. Twenty? I need 26, 27. I demand from my franchise player you’re paying the max. Don’t be giving props for 20 points. Anybody can get 20 points now.”
Shaq after Zion dropped a triple double:
"You giving him props for that? I need more. Anybody can get 20 points now. That's not good enough. I'm not impressed by that" https://t.co/EKOcGxEpPL pic.twitter.com/EmhtpZzXxr
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) March 12, 2025
O’Neal has always been critical of Williamson and how he manages his weight. Back in December 2023, the former Los Angeles Lakers star called out the young forward for his performance against his former team. According to the four-time champion, he thinks the 24-year-old star doesn’t show enough effort on the court.
“He does not run hard,” O’Neal said. “He doesn’t seal. He doesn’t demand the ball. Like you got a small guy and we talk about it all the time. Barbecue Chicken. Charles (Barkley) talks about it all the time. You can’t let a little guy guard you.”
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
