Pelicans pay homage to Kobe before defeating Celtics for first win with Zion

It was a surreal day and night in the NBA, including in New Orleans.

It would have been understandable if Commissioner Adam Silver had opted to cancel games, though that would have been difficult on such short notice. It was difficult, clearly, for players to totally focus on the task at hand.

There was a 24-second moment of silence prior to the singing of the national anthem.

Both the Pelicans and Celtics took an intentional 24-second violation to begin the game in honor of Kobe Bryant, who closed his brilliant 20-year career with the Lakers wearing No. 24.

It was personal on many fronts.

Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram were part of the Lakers family until this season.

JJ Redick faced Bryant many times on the floor. Jrue Holiday is from Los Angeles (UCLA) and played against Bryant. Alvin Gentry coached against Bryant many times. Pelicans television play-by-play announcer Joel Meyers worked for the Lakers when Bryant was a superstar.

Players wore Kobe shoes as a tribute to the all-time great in pre-game warmups.

The loss of Kobe Bryant and eight others, including his 13-year-old daughter, had taken place earlier in the day in the Los Angeles area. It was felt everywhere, deeply, including in the other LA.

Then, the game got going.

For the first time, Zion Williamson looked like a rookie, at times.

When it mattered most, he looked like the best player on the floor for either team.

Williamson played in crunch time for the first time and it made all the difference in a 123-108 victory over Boston at Smoothie King Center.

After struggling with his shot early, both from the field and at the free throw line, after committing four turnovers and dealing with double-teams, Williamson exploded late in the game.

He entered the game with 4:30 to play in the game. He scored the final eight points of the game, taking over to put a game that had a chance to slip away.

Williamson played 27 minutes, scoring 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting. He added 11 rebounds, two assists and a steal for the first double-double of many to come.

It was, once again, marvelous to watch the young marvel maneuver and manipulate around the mass of Celtic defenders whose mission was to stop him, make him work hard and wear him out.

Instead, it was Williamson wearing out the Celtics in the end.

The Pelicans took control early, going on a 9-0 run to take an 11-7 lead with 6:38 to play in the opening quarter.

New Orleans closed the quarter on a 16-4 run to take a 32-20 lead.

Williamson played 6:22 of the first quarter and scored five points and six rebounds.

When Williamson sat, Redick came on and scored seven points and pulled down three rebounds. Jaxson Hayes had a thunderous dunk to electrify the crowd. Holiday and Ball each hit a pair of 3-pointers.

While the Celtics shot under 31 percent from the field, including 1-of-9 from 3-point range, the Pelicans deserved credit for excellent defense as well.

Brandon Ingram picked up two fouls and had to depart under seven minutes into the game. He did not score in seven minutes played. He picked up his third foul with just under four minutes left in the first half with New Orleans up 49-39.

The Pelicans continued to control play, expanding the lead to 62-42 by halftime. New Orleans closed the quarter on a 10-0 run. Holiday and Josh Hart were both plus 21 in the half.

One possession personified how the Pelicans simply outworked Boston. New Orleans got a seven-shot possession, culminating with a 3-pointer by Hart.

Ball missed two 3-point attempts, Holiday missed twice, Derrick Favors missed a tip-in attempt and Hart missed before he finally connected.

New Orleans had 31 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, to just 19 for the Celtics in the first half. The Pelicans got 18 points off the bench while Boston scored just two in the half.

The Celtics picked up the energy significantly on both ends in the third quarter. Ingram picked up his fourth foul and had to sit. Kemba Walker put in 14 points in the quarter and Boston cut the lead in half, trailing 91-81 going to the final frame.

Then, Williamson returned with his team up by 11 points. He would not allow his team to be denied.

It is the first win for New Orleans with Williamson of many to come. The adjustment to having him on the floor more continues as he continues to score as he slammed the door on Boston.

There were many heroes for New Orleans.

Lonzo Ball was outstanding running the show. While he scored just eight points, he had 15 assists and six rebounds. Eight of his assists came in the fourth quarter. Holiday rebounded from a pair of subpar games with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists. Ingram had 16 points and Derrick Favors finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Then, there was the bench play of New Orleans.

The Pelicans got 38 points from reserves to just eight for Boston, the clear difference in the game. New Orleans destroyed Boston 54-37 on the boards as well which offset a huge problem for New Orleans.

The Pelicans committed 18 turnovers and got away with it.

Yes, Jayson Tatum and Enes Kanter missed the game for Boston but the Pelicans were missing a ton of key players when they were taken to the woodshed in a 140-105 loss in Boston on Jan. 11. What a difference 15 days make!

The Celtics defend well, allowing 105.3 points per game, third best in the league. New Orleans damaged the Boston defense in this one. New Orleans beat a really good basketball team.

The Pelicans return to action Tuesday at Cleveland.

Though it is a road game, the lowly Cavaliers are 12-34, the third worst record in the league, and have lost seven straight games.

It is a game you have to win if you are the Pelicans.

It will be the first road game for Williamson, who figures to be an attraction at the box office in other NBA arenas with the “wow” plays he makes and the enormous publicity he is receiving.

Based on early returns, Williamson, who will continue to play longer minutes while playing his way back into high level playing shape, Williamson is earning the hype. Now, let us see if he can improve from the free throw stripe.

On an evening where the city, country and world mourned the passing of a true basketball and sports legend, another young teenage star has begun the quest of establishing himself as a legend as well.