New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Zion Williamson defends Kevin Love after Pelicans-Heat brawl

By Orlando Silva | Last updated 2/25/24

The New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat starred in a controversial moment following an unfortunate play between Zion Williamson and Kevin Love. Contrary to what many thought, Love didn't try to hurt Williamson, as the Pelicans star revealed after the game.

"I wasn't tripping about K-Love because he actually protected me on my fall," Williamson said, via ESPN. "All of a sudden I see Butler kind of lunging toward Naji, so I'm trying to get there like, 'Yo, relax, like what's going on?'"

It all started when Williamson stole the ball and drove to the basket for an uncontested layup. Love grabbed the Pelicans star by the jersey before he fell to the court, which sparked a big reaction from Naji Marshall and other players.

Zion went down hard on a foul by Kevin Love. Turned into a full on scrum pic.twitter.com/ubm5a0j9FT
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) February 24, 2024

In total, four players were ejected, including Heat star Jimmy Butler. This sequence didn't sit well with Butler, who sent a clear message to the Pelicans ahead of their March 22 duel.

"We'll beat them the next time too," Butler said after the game. "We're just a better team."

"Our team is so ready for anything that anybody's thrown at us," Butler added. "We're so together, playing some incredible basketball. I don't think it matters who we go up against right now. It's that time of the year."

Miami ended up winning 106-95.

These two teams could surprise opponents in the playoffs, and even though it's a long shot that they face off in a hypothetical NBA Finals series, they'll surely have extra motivation to beat each other after Friday's game.

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