Don’t forget Zion and the Pelicans

NOLA got off to a tough start, losing two straight to Utah and the Clippers. Williamson has played limited minutes, which has left him unhappy, but against Memphis on Monday, he played a lot more.

The former No. 1 overall pick showed out, outdueling Ja Morant as he dropped 23 points in 25 minutes while going 9 for 21 from the field. Zion and Brandon Ingram are the It factors for Alvin Gentry’s team, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

Their toughest games are definitely behind them, with San Antonio, Orlando, the Kings, and the Wizards left to play. NOLA lost by 15 to Sacramento on Thursday, but they’re still just 2.5 games behind the Grizzlies.

The Pelicans have all the opportunity in the world to feature in the play-in series, considering the opponents they will face over the next week. With Zion at the forefront and Ingram continuing his All-Star campaign, this is definitely a team to watch as the battle for the eighth seed continues.