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SPORTS Thursday 13 april 2023
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Pelicans’ Zion Williamson in a ‘mental battle’ to play again

By BRETT MARTEL playoffs during Williamson’s
AP Sports Writer first two seasons. When they
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — All- finally made it last season,
Star forward Zion William- he could only cheer on his
son said he won’t return to teammates from the side-
the New Orleans Pelicans’ line. The promise the club
lineup until he’s confident showed late last season
his body will respond well to gave Williamson enough
the way he wants to play. confidence in the club’s
“Physically, I’m fine,” Wil- future to sign a rookie max
liamson, who injured his extension worth close to
right hamstring in early Jan- $200 million during the next
uary, said Tuesday. “Now five seasons.
it’s just a matter of when I Now another postseason
feel like Zion. has arrived, and Williamson
“I can pretty much do ev- is again unavailable to play
erything, but it’s just a mat- for now. Williamson said
ter of the level that I was the decision on his return
playing at before my ham- is not his alone and will be
string,” Williamson contin- made in concert with the
ued. “I don’t want to go team. On Friday, Pelicans
out there and be in my own Executive Vice President of
head and affect the team New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, center, sits on the bench between guard Jose Basketball Operations Da-
when I can just be on the Alvarado, left, and forward Brandon Ingram during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball vid Griffin said Williamson
sideline supporting them game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Denver. would not likely be ready
more, because I know my- Associated Press to play until some time dur-
self. If I was to go out there, face top-seeded Denver. affect my team in a bad games was his second sea- ing the first round of the
I would be in my head. I Williamson said he has to way.” son, when he played in 61. playoffs at the earliest and
would hesitate on certain overcome “a little bit of a Williamson’s anxiety about When available, the 6-foot- there’s no guarantee New
moves and it could affect mental battle” because of re-injury is understandable, 6, 280-pound Williamson Orleans will make it that far.
the game.” a setback in his recovery given how his first four NBA has been among the most Meanwhile, Williamson has
Williamson’s extended ab- that prevented him from seasons have gone since productive players in the had to listen to basket-
sence looms particularly participating in the All-Star he was selected first overall NBA, averaging nearly 26 ball fans and pundits alike
large now, with New Or- Game. out of Duke in the 2019 NBA points and seven rebounds question his commitment
leans hosting Oklahoma “When I reaggravated it draft. in 114 career games. He to stay in shape and his de-
City in a do-or-die, Western back in February, it was He played in just 24 games can handle the ball and termination to get back on
Conference play-in game tough. So, when I got to as a rookie, mostly because run the floor like a guard the court.
on Wednesday night. The make certain moves, there of a left knee injury. He or wing player, soar to the “I don’t know how else to
loser is done for the season is that hesitation,” William- missed all of his third season hoop for rim-rattling dunks say it. It just sucks.
while the winner survives son said. because of a broken right and muscle his way into lLove this game,” William-
to play at least once more “I understand the magni- foot and played in just 29 shooting positions from the son said. “For those people
on Friday night for the right tude of these games com- games during the 2022-23 post often hitting off-bal- that think that I just want
to enter the first-round of ing up and I don’t want to regular season. ance, short-range shots be- to sit on the sideline just to
the playoffs as the confer- be out there hesitating or The only time he’s ap- tween multiple defenders. sit over there, I don’t know
ence’s eighth seed and doing something that may peared in as many as 30 The Pelicans missed the why people think that.q

Jake Paul, Nate Diaz announce

August boxing match

By MARK ANDERSON Wednesday. Their team my professional boxing as-
AP Sports Writer members also got into an pirations,” Paul said in a
YouTube star Jake Paul will altercation during an Octo- statement. “Now, the world
take on UFC veteran Nick ber event promoting Paul’s thinks I am vulnerable,
Diaz in an eight-round, fight against former UFC when all I am is more fo-
185-pound boxing match champion Anderson Silva. cused than ever. My team
on Aug. 5 in Dallas. After Paul beat Silva by wanted me to take an easy
Paul tweeted that day will unanimous decision, he fight ... but that’s not how I
be a “funeral for Nathaniel said he wanted to fight am built.
Diaz as we send him back Diaz. Nate Diaz is considered
to” UFC President Dana But Paul (6-1, 4 KO) lost his one of the (toughest) fight- Jake Paul, left, punches Tyron Woodley during the second round
of a Cruiserweight fight on Dec. 19, 2021, in Tampa, Fla.
White. “Refreshments will most recent fight, to Tom- ers of all time, but he and Associated Press
be provided at the service. my Fury in February, by split his team have been run-
Black Tie Attire.” decision. ning their mouths for too Ferguson at UFC 279 in Sep- statement about Paul. “I’m
That Twitter post was the “My last fight didn’t end the long.” tember. here to conquer that. I’m
latest in a back-and-forth way I wanted, but the re- Diaz is 21-13 in the UFC, win- “Besides Canelo (Alvarez) the King of combat sports
exchange that led up sult was the best thing that ning his most recent bout he’s the biggest thang and then I’m headed back
to the announcement could have happened to with a submission of Tony in boxing,” Diaz said in a to get my UFC belts.”q