Pelicans' Zion Williamson returns to court for more shots following loss, missed free throws
Not long after his New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, Zion Williamson was back on the court of the Smoothie King Center working on his shot.
The second-year player had gone 10 of 17 from the field with 28 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks. His 8-for-16 effort from the free throw line left him feeling like he required the extra work.
"I really felt like I let my team down, man," Williamson told reporters, via ESPN. "It's like I tell y'all, I never want to let them down. All those free throws, it can't go down like that. I gotta be better in those situations. If I want to be one of those great players, I gotta take a lot of responsibility and be ready for those moments. Right after the game, I just felt like I had to go back on the court and find my flow."
Williamson took at least 100 shots over a 40-minute span, according to ESPN. He needed to make 10 shots in a row from close range before moving to seven different spots around the three-point line.
The 16 attempts from the charity stripes were a season-high for Williamson, who entered the game shooting more than 70% from the line. He currently ranks fifth in the league in overall field-goal percentage (61.4%).
Williamson earned his first All-Star nod this season and will participate in the Rising Stars contest during festivities in Atlanta this weekend.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.