The Best of the Day: March 26th, 2021

Zion’s career-high 39 PTS not enough as Pelicans fall to Denver

Zion Williamson‘s career night wasn’t enough for the Pelicans, as New Orleans fell to the Denver Nuggets 113-108 at home. Zion scored a career-high 39 points on an absurdly efficient 16-19 (84.2%) shooting, while also adding 10 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. The young superstar was the lone bright spot for the Pelicans, as the team’s next highest scorer was Eric Bledsoe with 16 points. 

Zion Williamson is the 2nd player over the last 25 seasons with 95 points on 75% shooting over a 3-game span, joining Shaquille O'Neal. pic.twitter.com/PHHYGRtOqW

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 27, 2021

Zion Williamson had a career-high 39 points in the Pelicans' loss to Denver tonight, going 16-for-19 from the field.

It was his fifth game this season with at least 15 FGA and an 80%+ FG%, the most by any NBA player since Charles Barkley had five with the 1988-89 76ers.

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) March 27, 2021

A tight final frame saw New Orleans let an 11-point lead midway through the quarter slip away, as Nikola Jokic led the way for Denver with 37 points and nine assists in the comeback win. He wasn’t the only one who had himself a night though, as Michael Porter Jr. dropped 25 points while Jamal Murray finished with 23 points and 11 assists. 

The win for the Nuggets draws them even with the Trail Blazers at 27-18, tied for fifth in the Western Conference and a game-and-a-half behind the injury-riddled Lakers. Denver will have a real shot to catch LA after their trade deadline acquisition of Aaron Gordon, who’s insertion in the lineup will add much-needed defense on the perimeter, something they’ve sorely missed since the departure of Jerami Grant in the offseason.

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