#The Pelicans unleashed Zion Williamson and changed everything

The Pelicans loosened the reins on Zion Williamson and the result was predictable: A victory and a happy rookie.

After being limited to a combined 29 minutes in two losses to begin the NBA’s restart in Orlando, the dynamic first-year forward was able to finish New Orleans’ victory Monday night, and he thrived, producing 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a 109-99 win over the Grizzlies.

“I felt alive again,” Williamson told ESPN. “My competitive spirit was there, and I’m glad coach (Alvin Gentry) and the whole team trusted me to finish the game out.”

After leaving the bubble to deal with a family emergency on July 16 and not returning until the 24th, Williamson was placed on a “burst restriction,” and forced to watch from the bench in key moments of the Pelicans first two games, losses to the Jazz and Clippers. But in a must-win game, he saw more action as the Pelicans moved to within two games of the Grizzlies, who have the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“I ain’t gonna lie to you, it’s just different in a bad way when I’m on the bench in the fourth quarter, and there’s nothing I can do to help my team win,” Williamson said. “So I said I felt alive — it was just great to be out there doing whatever I can to help my team win. And as for the energy part, me and my teammates can just feed off each other.”

Williamson, who also missed the season’s first 44 games due to arthroscopic right-knee surgery, equaled a career-high with those five assists. The No. 1 pick also attempted a career-high 21 field goal attempts. He was aggressive early and often.

“It was a little bit of both from myself and the coaching staff,” Williamson said. “They were telling me to try to give the team a spark and that’s what I was trying to do, give my team a spark, get ’em going.”