Zion Williamson with 23/6 with 3 steals in loss

Williamson has scored at least 22 points in three of four games, with Wednesday’s total being a season-high. Also of note were the three steals, pushing Zion’s total to 11 through four games. Williamson may not be much of a defender, but he’s still managed to put up numbers in the steals column. If that continues, it could help offset the lack of three-point production.

In 62 games last year, Williamson was just 1-of-4 from behind the three-point line. He made two three-pointers Wednesday, giving him more than he had all of last season. With the Pelicans trailing by three and the shot clock off at the end of the fourth quarter, Williamson corralled a rebound and proceeded to attempt another three-pointer in hopes of tying the game. Unfortunately, after getting a defender to leave his feet with a pump fake, Williamson shot an air ball. Still, the fact that he’s taking more three-pointers and even making some will likely prove to be a boon to his fantasy value this season.

Mosley, who was fired by the Magic shortly after their ouster from the NBA Playoffs, was not unemployed for long, as the Pelicans decided to bring him on board. One of his tasks in New Orleans will be to help Williamson tap into his full potential. “He hasn’t even scratched the surface of things he can do,” Mosley told reporters, according to ESPN. “I really do believe that. And I think being able to open the floor up more for him, attacking, being able to play him in different positions, because he’s an excellent basketball player with a high IQ for playmaking, for making guys around him better, knowing when to make plays and the right passes to make.” While he was given some playmaking responsibilities by previous coaches, Zion’s inability to stay healthy limited his overall output. The injury history means Williamson’s fantasy draft outlook won’t be much affected by Mosley’s words. However, the new head coach’s willingness to give Zion more responsibility should bode well for the forward’s immediate future in New Orleans.

The continued absences of Williamson and Missi are most impactful, as Derik Queen and Kevon Looney have served as the starting power forward and center. That should remain the case on Sunday, with Queen more likely to play starters’ minutes. As for Matković, his continued absence does not significantly affect the Pelicans’ rotation.

Friday’s game will be the second straight that Williamson has missed, but he was never ruled out for Tuesday’s win over the Jazz. He won’t play against the Celtics for injury management reasons, which may result in a second consecutive start for Kevon Looney.

Williamson, Saddiq Bey and Herb Jones are all expected to sit out Tuesday’s game despite not being on the injury report. They will be in uniform, likely making this a “break in case of emergency” situation for them. Rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen should see their usage rates skyrocket due to the absences.

Williamson’s final line was adequate, but most fantasy managers who roster the forward expect more. He was more productive on Sunday than in Friday’s loss to the Kings, but the biggest positive regarding Williamson this season has been his availability. The 62 games he’s played in are the second-most in a season in Zion’s career, trailing only 2023-24 70. The improved availability may push Williamson up some draft boards next fall, but many fantasy managers will remain skeptical.

Williamson had a relatively quiet outing. He played under 30 minutes and scored his fewest points since February 28 against the Jazz. The former first-overall pick’s numbers currently some of the lowest of his career. He’s not currently finishing the fantasy season strong and likely isn’t someone fantasy managers can trust on Sunday’s fantasy finale against the Magic.

Williamson put up solid percentages in Sunday’s defeat, but the overall stat line was limited. However, that has not been an issue for him on most nights since the All-Star break. Providing eighth-round value since the break, Williamson has shot 65.2 percent from the field and 71.3 percent from the foul line during this stretch. The Pelicans play three games in Week 23, but they’re off until Thursday.

This was Zion’s fourth straight game with at least 20 points, though he continues to not contribute much for fantasy managers in other categories. The field goal percentage and points will continue to be strong, but Williamson remains a liability in other categories. He continues to be available, which is a great development for him, and should be an encouraging sign entering drafts next year. They have one more game this week, which will be on Sunday against the Rockets.