While the two showcased a chemistry during the preseason, Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson have been a dynamic duo for the Pelicans in their brief time together. The most obvious examples of their chemistry has been in the form of a pair of long-range alley-oops, one from 60 feet and one from half-court.
But the two have been particularly successful together on the court. In Williamson’s eight games, no player has spent more time on the court with him than Ball. In their 167 minutes together on the court, the Pelicans have a 110.2 offensive rating and a 97.3 defensive rating for a net rating of 12.9
That mark ranks third-best of teammates to spend at least 20 minutes with Williamson on the court. But it’s still a marked improvement on life prior to Williamson’s introduction to the lineup. The starting lineup of Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, Derrick Favors, Ball and Williamson have a net rating of 17.5 in 96 minutes together over the last eight games.
Since Williamson’s debut, the Pelicans’ starting lineup ranks fourth in the league in net rating of lineups with at least 50 minutes played. Williamson and Ball have injected a pace into the Pelicans as well. While the Pelicans play at a PACE of 104.5 with Ball on the court, that number jumps to 106.7.
The 57.8% true shooting percentage by the Pelicans with Ball and Williamson on the court also is an improvement on the pre-Williamson days. Before his debut, the Pelicans held a true shooting percentage of 56.1%, 15th in the league. While the percentage doesn’t seem much higher, a 57.8% true shooting percentage would rank the Pelicans in a tie for fifth in the league overall.
Ball and Williamson have the Pelicans playing an up-tempo, efficient style of basketball that has made them dangerous. And considering it’s only eight games into their time together, it spells great things for New Orleans’ future.
