Pelicans complete sweep of NBL rivals with Phoenix win

NBA superstar Zion Williamson did most of his best work on the defensive end as the New Orleans Pelicans overpowered the South East Melbourne Phoenix in their tour-ending exhibition clash.

Williamson had an impact early and the Pelicans never trailed in their dominant 127-92 win at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

It gave the visitors a 2-0 sweep of Australian rivals in their historic pre-season series after a 107-97 victory over Melbourne United two days earlier.

The games marked the first time an NBA team has played down under.

As expected, Williamson played only 15 first-half minutes and didn't return after the main break as he builds into a predicted breakout season with his vastly improved physique.

The former No.1 draft pick was levels above his NBL opponents, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Fellow starters Saddiq Bey (21 points), Jordan Poole (15) and Jeremiah Fears (12) also stood out.

There was a sour note for New Orleans when guard Jose Alvarado hurt his right knee while under pressure from Phoenix import Hunter Maldonado.

Alvarado limped off the court in the third period and played no further part.

South East Melbourne co-captain Jordan Hunter finished with 17 points, six rebounds and two assists for his team with fellow skipper Nathan Sobey ending up with 16 points, five assists and two steals.

Akech Aliir also provided 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals with Next Star and NBA hopeful Malique Lewis finishing with eight points, five boards, four assists and a block.

Daniel Foster, Gorjok Gak, John Brown III and Owen Foxwell all scored six points apiece as well for the Phoenix.

New Orleans asserted their authority from the tip and surged 20 points clear in the second period as the teams' vastly different shooting fortunes told a tale.

The Pelicans were in party mode when Poole connected with Karlo Matkovic for an alley-oop from half-court, and Williamson's defensive hustle led to No.7 draft pick Fears' double-clutch dunk.

A huge score was on the cards when the Pelicans led 74-55 at the main break but they toned it down in the second half, cruising to a comfortable win with the bench given plenty of minutes.

NBA teams have now won 25 of 26 pre-season games against NBL clubs since the NBAxNBL series was introduced in 2017.

The only outlier was in 2022, when the Adelaide 36ers stunned the Phoenix Suns.

NBAxNBL MELBOURNE SERIES

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 92 (Hunter 17, Aliir 16, Sobey 16)

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS 127 (Poole 15, Hawkins 14, Missi 10)

BOX SCORE