One major change that happened to the New Orleans Pelicans in the past two weeks resulting to successful games is coach James Borrego deciding to make star Zion Williamson come off the bench.
The two-time All-Star has been assigned as a sixth man by the first year coach and he is excelling at it. He scored 24 and 29 in the last two games and the Pelicans won their last four with him off the bench.
Head coach James Borrego does not want to dignify thoughts that the team has a new star. Instead, he explained that it is all about finding the right combination.
“The goal was to maximize his minutes. It’s a math game,” Borrego told reporters after their tight win vs the Dallas Mavericks.
“I knew he was gonna respond well but for him to approach it this way in the mature, team first mentality, he deserves credit for that.”
Zion was definitely maximized on Monday as he score 10 points in the last four minutes to will his team to victory.
10 points in the final 4 minutes for Zion.
He ices the @PelicansNBA win 💯 pic.twitter.com/RF4kwun6f4
— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2025
Zion Williamson praises Derik Queen
That other and new star people speak off is 13th overall pick Derik Queen who has been making a mark on the team and putting the league on notice in the past two months. He basically got Williamson’s place in the starting five.
While others are trying to plant tension between the two, with some people saying they need to move on from Williamson, Z feels totally happy with Queen’s presence.
Talking post-game, Williamson called Queen ‘special’.
“He gets better every game, from reading defenders to defending. I have said it before man, he is a special talent. I am glad he is with us.”
Queen scored 19 points in the win over Mavs. He posted a double double in their two games.
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