Williamson scores 33 to power Pelicans past Raptors | CBC Sports

Zion Williamson had 33 points, four steals and two blocks, and Trey Murphy added six three-pointers and 26 points as the Pelicans beat the Toronto Raptors 126-108 on Wednesday night in New Orleans.

But Williamson, who also had 10 rebounds, iced the game by igniting a 6-0 run. He blocked a Pascal Siakam layup attempt at one end and finished with a dunk at the other. He then had steals on Toronto’s next two possessions, helping push New Orleans’ lead to 121-102 with 3:24 left.

Four other Pelicans scored in double figures: Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 13 rebounds, rookie Dyson Daniels added 14 points and nine assists, Herb Jones had 12 points and Larry Nance Jr. 10.

WATCH | Williamson shines as Pelicans beat Raptors:

Raptors fall to Pelicans as Williamson leads the way

New Orleans defeats Toronto 126-108, Zion Williamson records 33 points and 10 rebounds.

Toronto was led by Gary Trent Jr., who scored 35 points, and Pascal Siakam with 23.

Williamson scored nine of the Pelicans’ first 14 points and was nearly unstoppable in the first half, scoring 17 points and dishing out four assists as the Pelicans raced to a 74-47 halftime lead. It was the Pelicans’ highest-scoring half of the season.

In shooting 63 per cent in the first half, the Pelicans had 19 assists on 28 made field goals. Rookie Dyson Daniels contributed eight points and five assists in 11 minutes.

Coach Nick Nurse said Pascal Siakam’s 10-game absence, during which Toronto went 5-5, helped the Raptors not be “so heavily reliant” on his 24.1 points per game.

“He’s obviously our go-to guy and best decision-maker, but it still doesn’t mean that we can’t work in some of the other things. I’m just hoping we can stay healthy here for a little while.”

Raptors guard Fred VanVleet picked up his second technical foul and went to the locker room just 41 seconds into the second half.