Zion Williamson ascending quickly to elite status in the NBA

The New Orleans Pelicans were not going to let this one get away.

A night after leading Denver most of the way before collapsing down the stretch, the Pelicans once again lost the lead in the fourth quarter against a depleted Dallas Mavericks squad.

This time, New Orleans was ready and armed with the proper weaponry to overcome another failure.

His name is Zion Williamson.

A night after Williamson posted a career high with 39 points, the marvelous second-year player dominated again, scoring 36 points with six rebounds, five assists and a block as the Pelicans downed the Mavericks 112-103 at Smoothie King Center.

This time, Williamson was 13-of-20 from the field and 12-of-18 from the free throw line.

Had the Pelicans made free throws, the outcome would never have been in doubt but New Orleans made only 65.5 percent of their free throw attempts (19-of-29).

Still, it was enough because of Williamson and because Stan Van Gundy and Zion made sure the team played through its star down the stretch, a night after an embarrassing, inexcusable shot clock violation with the team trailing by three points in the waning seconds against the Nuggets.

Trailing 95-95 with 3:39 remaining, Williamson scored or assisted on 16 of the final 18 points for the Pelicans. Nickeil Alexander-Walker made a pair of key 3-pointers, set up beautifully by assists from Williamson. The only other points were a jumper by Brandon Ingram.

While Ingram is a good player, there is no doubt that Williamson is the clear star of this team, an emerging superstar.

In the last two games, that has been clear as can be.

Williamson is an unstoppable force, particularly if he can continue to work on an improve his free throw shooting, which he has done this season from a year ago.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, who has an NBA title on his resume, perhaps said it best after the game in describing Williamson.

“This is a Shaquille O’Neal-type force of nature with a point guard skill set,” Carlisle said.

That is a spot-on description of what Williamson is doing.

His ability to handle the basketball, to create off the bounce, to run the point forward spot, to attract attention and dish to teammates for wide open shots is amazing to watch but not as amazing as Williamson’s ability to slice through two, sometimes three defenders, to absorb contact and to finish at the rim against taller players or to get fouled, or even both, in the process.

Yes, the Mavericks were without stars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, just as the Lakers were without LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Those were two wins the Pelicans had to have on this homestand. They got them, largely thanks to Williamson.

While James Harden, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are at the top of the list for Most Valuable Player honors this season, Williamson is playing his way into the conversation, averaging 26.3 points, seven rebounds and 3.5 steals while shooting an eye-popping 63.7 percent from the field, a respectable 34.8 percent from 3-point range and an improved 70.9 percent from the free throw line.

Yes, James and Davis are elite. Kyrie Irving would be in that category if he ever got on the floor enough. Kawhi Leonard is a great player. Damian Lilllard has played his way into that category, as has Doncic. Steph Curry, when healthy, is still the best shooter in the league. Kevin Durant, if every healthy, is still elite.

Of the young stars, Williamson and Doncic are the emerging faces of the league.

Both can score, virtually at will.

Both can shoot it well enough.

Both can control the game by handling the ball and creating for teammates.

Both can rebound.

New Orleans got everything it hoped for, everything it expected and then some with the arrival of Williamson.

He is a force of nature.

The Pelicans hit the road to Boston for a Monday night matchup with the Celtics.

What will the Celtics attempt to do to stop the Williamson train from rolling down the tracks and rolling over opponents? At this point, I cannot wait to see.