Image Source: NBA Sports
[Saba Sports News] A day after the incident, Willie Green remains upset over a controversial play involving Zion Williamson. In the matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Orlando Magic, Pelicans’ Williamson was knocked down by Magic’s Gary Harris in a contentious action. Harris, attempting a steal, went for Williamson’s legs in the third quarter, causing Williamson to fall heavily.
Coach Green expressed his displeasure, especially as Harris was only penalized with a common foul for the incident. Despite the rough play, Williamson seemed unharmed but later exited in the fourth quarter due to a finger injury, with the Pelicans eventually losing 117-108.
During a post-game practice, Green criticized Harris’s actions, highlighting the danger of such moves. “They don’t even permit that in football,” Green commented, referencing comments suggesting Harris had slipped but noting that Harris still targeted Williamson’s legs aggressively. Green compared the action to a flagrant foul situation, emphasizing the intention versus the outcome of physical plays.
The play underscored the physical defense the 45-31 Magic are known for, sometimes perceived as overly aggressive. This sentiment may have been heightened by a recent injury to Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram in a previous encounter with the Magic, further straining relations between the teams.