NBA’s Xmas money grab led to trouble

The conditioning of Zion Williamson came under scrutiny on Thursday as the New Orleans Pelicans were blown out in the In-Season Tournament semifinals by the Los Angeles Lakers. The speed and energy of LeBron James at the age of 38 contrasted with Williamson in a dramatic way.

The Pelicans have repeated stressed to Williamson that his diet and conditioning needs to improve. Multiple sources from the Pelicans told Christian Clark of The Times-Picayune that Williamson “doesn’t listen.”

Williamson has a career low PER of 21.8 this season though he has so far remained healthy and available to play. Williamson has been an All-Star in 2021 and 2023.

Draymond Green will return to the Golden State Warriors for Game 4 after a one-game suspension. However, Green’s return to the Warriors starting lineup will have to wait.

Golden State will bring Green off the bench for Game 4 of their first-round series against the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors won Game 3 behind starting group that included Jordan Poole elevated to starting alongside regular openers Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney.

Green has only sporadically come off the bench since becoming a regular starter in 2014-15. Green’s last playoff game off the bench came nearly nine years ago on April 24, 2014.