NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCH 28: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives the ball up the court against the Milwaukee Bucks at Smoothie King Center on March 28, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
For the New Orleans Pelicans, Zion Williamson’s more forceful play in the closing minutes of a close game paid dividends. In the last three minutes, Williamson completed a 28-point effort by making five of six free throws, and New Orleans managed to hold off the Milwaukee Bucks 107-100 on Thursday night.

With a solid shooting effort from the free-throw line and a few rebounds to help propel New Orleans to victory, Williamson topped all Pelicans players in scoring. This season, Williamson has made at least ten free throws in five different games. In each of those encounters, he has scored at least 25 points. Now, he has three games in a row with at least 28 points.

Zion Williamson, who was without a shot in the closing seconds of Tuesday’s defeat, went after the hoop this time and advanced to the foul line. In the paint, New Orleans outscored Milwaukee 52–44, and the Pelicans made 27 of 34 free throw attempts. Milwaukee tried and made 10 of its 19 free throws.

As per the NBA website, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 35 points and 14 rebounds. Williamson, who occasionally had to cover him, was in awe of the “Greek Freak’s” unwavering intensity in the paint.

Zion Williamson admired Giannis Antetokounmpo during the post-match conference

Williamson gave Antetokounmpo a smile and shook his head in appreciation as he finished the third quarter with 20 straight points for the Bucks.

“Man, I thought I attacked the basket. He has a high motor. I’ve got to give him his respect on that, and he’s always on the attack.” Zion Williamson replied.

He added, “If we’re going to lose certain games, we at least want to do it the right way, knowing that we got the shots we wanted,”

After being fouled and converting a three-point play off a 7-foot runner, McCollum gave New Orleans a lead as large as 18 points in the first half, capping a 14-2 run that saw them up 52-34. The outburst started with a 3-pointer from Valanciunas and a basket by Herb Jones after McCollum was fouled by Lillard and floated off the boards.

Pelicans will next visit Boston on Saturday night where they want to secure their race for playoffs. Zion Williamson is in great form and wants to continue this type of run to win games for his team.