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SPORTS Friday 24 January 2020
Williamson's 22 in debut not enough for Pelicans vs. Spurs

By BRETT MARTEL Spurs withstood Williamson's
AP Sports Writer late surge for a 121-117 vic-
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Zion tory over New Orleans on
Williamson scored the final Wednesday night.
point of his first NBA regular "The crowd got into it. We
season game as a packed didn't let it rattle us," DeRo-
and standing crowd belted zan said, adding that Wil-
out chants of "M-V-P!" liamson "went on a hell of
Then the NBA's No. 1 over- a run."
all draft pick went to the "It was great that we held
bench — as mandated our composure, executed
by medical staff — and when we needed to, and
watched the game slip came up with stops when
away from the Pelicans we needed to," DeRozan
while unheeded chants of, added.
"We want Zion!" echoed With Spurs coach Gregg
around the Smoothie King Popovich sending double-
Center. teams at Williamson, the
Williamson capped his rookie struggled to find his
long-awaited NBA de- shot during the first three
but by scoring 17 of his 22 quarters. When the fourth
points in the fourth quarter quarter began, he had just
and stirring the crowd into five points, four rebounds,
a frenzy — but the savvy an assist and four turnovers New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket against San Antonio Spurs
center Jakob Poeltl (25) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednes-
and composed San Anto- in a little less than 12 min- day, Jan. 22, 2020. The Spurs won 121-117.
nio Spurs weathered the utes. Associated Press
surge for a 121-117 victory But when the 6-foot-6,
Wednesday night. 285-pound Williamson "When you're not able had played a total of 18:18 took a huge blow. We
The celebrated rookie out found himself open for a to move around and do when he was subbed out stayed the course and just
of Duke, whose maiden straight-on 3 with about athletic movements for a for good with the Pelicans played."
regular season appear- nine minutes to go, he let while, the only thing you — who trailed by 12 to start Brandon Ingram scored 22
ance was delayed three it fly and it went down, in- can do is just shoot spot-up the final period — down for New Orleans but missed
months by arthroscopic sur- fusing the stadium with en- jumpers, I guess that was 109-108. 16 of 22 shots, while Lonzo
gery on his right knee, said ergy. He followed that up the result of that." Soon after, DeRozan be- Ball had 14 points and 12
watching the final five min- with a torrid three-minute His teammates loved it. gan San Antonio's decisive assists.
utes from the bench out of stretch in which he laid in "The first one, I was like, 'All surge with a finger roll and Williamson entered the
caution was "very hard." an alley-oop lob, put back right. Cool," guard Jrue Hol- pull-up jumper. Aldridge Smoothie King Center
"I'm 19, honestly. In that a missed shot with a reverse iday said. "Then the second followed with a tip-in and wearing a black suit with a
moment, I'm not thinking layup and hit three more 3s. three I was like, 'All right, jumper shortly after. blue design and blue bas-
about longevity," William- Williamson wasn't known boy, you've been practic- New Orleans got as close ketball sneakers. Written in
son continued. "I'm thinking for shooting 3s when he ing.' And the third one, and as 119-117 on Josh Hart's pink on the black T-shirt he
about winning that game, starred at Duke. He was so from that point on, the en- 3, but Aldridge responded wore under his sport coat
so it was very tough." often able to dominate in- ergy was crazy." with two free throws and was the expression, "Let's
LaMarcus Aldridge had 32 side. But Williamson noted Williamson came into the the Spurs did not give up Dance," which was his mes-
points and 14 rebounds, that his long rehabilitation game knowing his playing another basket. sage to New Orleans the
DeMar DeRozan added 20 probably helped him refine time would be limited — "I was really proud of our night the Pelicans drafted
points, and the San Antonio his outside shot. even though he started. He guys," Popovich said. "We him.q

4-time All-Star Alana Beard

retires from WNBA after 15 years

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ala- managing partner and lucky enough to play in
na Beard, a two-time De- governor Eric Holoman front of," Beard said. "I am
fensive Player of the Year thanked Beard for what excited for my next chap-
who won a WNBA champi- he called her "historic con- ter and ready to pursue
onship with the Los Ange- tributions" to the franchise my next career. I look for-
les Sparks, is retiring after 15 and the league. ward to using my platform
years. In 2016, she helped The guard-forward from to create opportunities for
the Sparks win a third Shreveport, Louisiana, was the communities that sup-
WNBA title. She is third in a four-time All-Star. ported me throughout my In this Aug. 14, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Sparks' Alana
Beard drives to the basket during a WNBA basketball game
all-time steals in the league "I am so grateful for the journey, women and peo- against the Dallas Wings in Arlington, Texas.
with 710. Beard won De- many years I've been able ple of color." Associated Press
fensive Player of the Year to play the game I love, Beard had career aver-
honors in 2017 and '18. for the amazing players ages of 11.3 points, 3.4 re- games and made 42 play- attended Duke, where she
She also played for the I've had the opportunity bounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 off appearances. became the first NCAA
Washington Mystics. to play with and compete steals, while shooting 43% Beard was taken second player to score 2,600
The Sparks announced her against, and for the tre- from the field. She started overall in the 2004 WNBA points, dish out 500 assists
decision Thursday. Team mendous fans I've been 402 of 419 regular-season Draft by the Mystics. She and record 400 steals.q