Zion Williamson’s dunks are capable of shattering glass, breaking rims, and inciting fights. On Friday night, he wished that a single dunk could alter the past.
The Pelicans star completed a 360-degree, windmill dunk with 1.9 seconds remaining to seal a victory against the Suns and spark a shoving brawl between the two squads.
The Suns eliminated the Pelicans from the playoffs in six games last season, a series that Williamson missed due to a foot ailment.
After the 128-117 victory in New Orleans, Williamson informed reporters that his dunk was “a touch out of character.” “But you must comprehend, I mean, you can comprehend it or not. Last year, they sent my teammates home.
“I was absent last year. I got a little carried away with myself. I concede that. However, I was in that locker room when my brothers were sent home by the Suns last season. This is a difficult situation to be a part of. Consequently, in that moment I became carried away. I concede that. If they were to perform the same action, I would not object.”
The Suns encountered numerous difficulties due to Williamson’s throw-down. The teams swarmed near the half-court line, with Pelicans player Jose Alvarado and Phoenix’s Chris Paul exchanging words. Paul misspelled Alvarado’s name throughout the playoff series, and Alvarado later claimed, “He knows my name now” after frustrating Paul defensively in the series.
After Friday’s victory, which put the Pelicans in first place in the Western Conference, Alvarado, who was questionable for the game due to a rib contusion, stated he could not have missed the clash, and he refused to mention Paul’s name.
Alvarado told reporters, “I was definitely not sitting out.” “I do not care if anyone else plays, but if that guy plays, I will play.”
The Pelicans will again host the Suns on Sunday.