Zion Williamson aims to carry the strong performance from his season-high scoring display into the New Orleans Pelicans’ upcoming match against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday as they start a three-game road trip.

Following a lackluster 13-point game in the NBA in-season tournament semifinal, Williamson bounced back with a dominant performance, putting up 36 points in the Pelicans’ 121-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. He showcased impressive accuracy, making 13 of 17 shots from the field and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line.

His latest performance came after facing criticism for his perceived poor fitness in the 133-89 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Reflecting on the defeat, Williamson stated, “That was a subpar performance. It’s evident. It was not a good showing. Throughout the game, they outperformed us. We have great potential, but there’s also substantial room for improvement. I believe our response was satisfactory, but we need to be more consistent.”

His 36-point outing marked his highest scoring since his 43-point game against Minnesota on Dec. 28, 2022.

Expressing his mindset, Williamson emphasized, “I can’t afford to be passive or complacent. So, my approach was to be assertive. My teammates have faith in me.”

Williamson’s teammates also made significant offensive contributions. CJ McCollum impressed with four 3-pointers and 23 points, while Brandon Ingram added 20 points and Jonas Valanciunas secured 14 points and 13 rebounds, contributing to the Pelicans’ solid 48.8 percent shooting from the field.

“We all need to self-reflect and identify areas for improvement,” remarked New Orleans coach Willie Green. “We aim to approach our home games with a sense of urgency. Playing our style. Returning to our brand of basketball.”

The Pelicans have struggled on the road, losing four of their last five games away from home.

Meanwhile, the Wizards have encountered difficulties, irrespective of the venue. They have suffered five consecutive defeats and lost 19 of their 22 games this season.

After a 27-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, the Wizards endured a 45-point defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.

Reflecting on the situation, Kyle Kuzma, who recorded 21 points and nine rebounds on Monday, stated, “Being thoroughly thrashed by 50 points is never enjoyable. It’s been a recurring theme for us this entire season. Something needs to change.”

Kuzma also offered a broader perspective, saying, “Challenges come and go. This challenge, however, has lingered for an extensive period, making it an incredibly tough situation.”

In the previous season, the Pelicans and Wizards secured victories on each other’s home court, resulting in a split series. McCollum posted 34 points, and Valanciunas contributed 27 points and 12 rebounds in New Orleans’ 132-112 win on Jan. 9. On Jan. 28, Daniel Gafford recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds in Washington’s 113-103 victory.