(NEW ORLEANS) — Rookie Zion Williamson impressed crowds last night with 22 points in 18 minutes. Although the Pelicans lost, Williamson went four for four from the three and had an overall 72.9 field goal percentage. This was the first sold out game in the Smoothie King Center since they went to the playoffs in 2017.

This rookie class is getting plenty of time on the floor. Alongside Williamson, new players Jaxson Hayes and Nickel Alexander-Walker have also shown promise throughout the year.

The Pelicans are in the race for a high seed in the playoffs because they are hot, and they now have Williamson on the court. They can certainly contend for a seventh or eighth seed if everything works out as it should. Brandon Ingram is currently sixth in the All-Star voting, which would be the Pelicans’ first All-Star since Anthony Davis. This performance from Williamson brightened the road for the playoffs.