What CJ McCollum Told Zion Before He Lifted Pelicans Over Timberwolves

• Zion Williamson has revealed what CJ McCollum told him en route to his career night
• He scored 43 points as the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Minnesota Timberwolves
• The 22-year-old scored the Pelicans' final 14 points in the entertaining NBA game

Zion Williamson's impressive performance propelled the New Orleans Pelicans over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 119-118 win was their fourth straight in the NBA.

Williamson scored a career-high 43 points, including the final 14 points for the Pelicans, while his teammate, veteran CJ McCollum, said he told the 22-year-old to go make himself great.

The number one pick in the 2019 NBA Draft had 10 points at half-time. He poured in 19 in the third quarter, before rising to the occasion and lifting his team to a huge win in an intense and close game.

With just under three minutes remaining in the game, and the Pelicans trailing by five points, Williamson decided to go ballistic.

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In the final two minutes and 44 seconds, he outscored the Wolves 14-8 by himself to complete a superb comeback, per CBS Sports.

He tied Anthony Davis' record of the most points in a half in Pelicans history - Davis did it twice.

Williamson produced three different game-tying shots and two go-ahead scores, including the game-winning free throw with four seconds left to play.

What McCollum told Williamson

According to ESPN, Williamson said he watched a lot of NBA legends and learned their mindsets. He said he wanted people to remember him as a winner after he has retired.

He added that McCollum whispered some motivational words to him as the game got intense.

"CJ looked at me and said, 'If you wanna be great, this is the time to step up.' And that was all the motivation I needed."

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McCollum downplayed his role in Williamson's career night. He heaped praise on the generational talent, saying he has all the tools a player would need.

"I don't know if we will see somebody with that strength, that power, that speed with the ability to still jump east and west and straight up."

The win was the Pelicans' fourth in a row. The win also sees New Orleans back into a tie for first place in the Western Conference.

LeBron James' message to Lakers

Sports brief earlier reported on LeBron James sending a subtle warning to the LA Lakers front office, after the team suffered another agonising defeat.

He reiterated his desire to win at all costs, a comment which may be directed at the basketball club's hierarchy.

James spoke about wanting to win and giving himself a chance to win, which he said was his passion since entering the league at age 18.