Zion Williamson reveals how New Orleans builds its identity
The New Orleans Pelicans have played somewhat improved basketball lately, with Dejounte Murray recently returned since the Achilles injury and the team is slowly but surely progressing in the table. Probably the most surprising development of the last few months for New Orleans was ability of Sion Williamson to consistently stay on the field.
Recently, Williamson became 100% candid about how he envisions the Pelicans’ identity moving forward.
“We’re building our own identity. We’ve dealt with injuries, coaching changes… Despite all that, our energy is still high, we have a positive locker room. It’s not ‘What’s next?’ It’s ‘How do we build from this?'” Williamson said, via ESPN, according to the Pelicans Film Room on X, formerly Twitter.
Injuries have unfortunately been a major part of Williamson’s NBA story up to this point, with the former number one overall draft pick constantly sidelined by various ailments, most of them leg-related.
When on the court, Williamson remains a terror for opposing defenses, capable of relentlessly attacking the basket and finishing at the rim as well as being a threat on the offensive glass.
However, frequent leg injuries throughout his career have threatened to derail the athleticism that was once his signature attribute, and he has missed the majority of multiple seasons thus far in his career.
Still, it’s certainly a positive sign that he’s been able to stay on the court consistently since the calendar flipped to 2025-26, though it remains unclear whether the Pelicans’ front office, which recently traded a likely 2026 lottery pick in exchange for fellow big man Derrick Quinn, still sees Williamson as part of the team’s long-term plan.
Either way, the Pelicans are scheduled to take the floor next Tuesday night on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers.
2026-03-02 23:18:00
