The New Orleans Pelicans are leaning into a bold new strategy, and so far, it’s showing signs of life. Under James Borrego’s guidance, the team has taken a fresh approach to managing one of the NBA’s most unique talents: Zion Williamson. The former No. 1 overall pick and two-time All-Star has recently shifted into a sixth-man role - a move that’s less about demotion and more about optimization.
In a recent road win over the Chicago Bulls, Williamson came off the bench and posted a solid 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists in 27 minutes. But perhaps more telling than the stat line was what happened in the following game: a home win over the Houston Rockets where Zion didn’t play a single minute in the fourth quarter or overtime.
So, what exactly is going on here?
“I don’t know yet,” Borrego said when asked if this is the new norm for Zion.
But that uncertainty isn’t about indecision - it’s about flexibility. Borrego isn’t married to rigid rotations or predetermined minute counts.
He’s focused on maximizing Williamson’s impact without forcing the issue. It’s a measured, game-by-game approach that prioritizes flow over formality.
“Well, I think he was fresh to close the game [in Chicago],” Borrego explained. “He was able to find rhythm throughout the game without having his full amount of minutes.
He was able to close the game in a more controlled setting. I did not feel rushed to get him back in or jam in eight or nine [Zion] minutes into the fourth quarter.”
That word - control - keeps coming up. And it’s no accident.
It’s become a defining theme for how the Pelicans are navigating this stretch. Rather than chasing momentum with high-usage bursts or forcing their star into crunch time regardless of circumstance, the team is leaning into poise, execution, and trust.
“I thought we ran good stuff down the stretch,” Borrego said. “We were poised; we got the shots we wanted. We were not sped up, we were not out of control.”
It’s a subtle shift, but a meaningful one. The Pelicans are learning how to win late in games not just with talent, but with discipline. And in those final minutes - when the energy spikes, defenses tighten, and every possession starts to feel like a playoff possession - that discipline can be the difference.
“Most times when you’re watching an NBA game, energy and defense pick up in the fourth quarters, right?” Borrego said. “There comes this moment when it’s about four or five minutes left in the game, everybody’s energy and pressure rises… Can we stay poised in those moments and still execute our stuff?”
That’s the test. And lately, the Pelicans have been passing it.
Of course, underlying all of this is the reality that Zion’s minutes are being carefully managed. Borrego was candid about it: there’s a ceiling to how much Williamson can play right now, and the coaching staff is working within that framework.
The goal? To keep Zion explosive and impactful when it matters most - particularly in high-leverage moments - without overextending him.
“There is a [minutes available] number that I’m trying to work with,” Borrego said. “I’m just trying to maximize the number. Williamson has a number of gold coins that I can use; I just want to be the most efficient with the gold coins I have.”
It’s a simple metaphor, but it captures the essence of the strategy. Zion’s minutes are a finite resource. Borrego isn’t hoarding them - he’s investing them wisely, looking for the highest return.
Whether this sixth-man role becomes a permanent part of Williamson’s future or just a short-term tool in the Pelicans’ toolbox remains to be seen. But for now, this calculated gamble is giving New Orleans a new kind of edge late in games. And if they can keep finding ways to win while keeping Zion fresh, they may have stumbled onto something that could pay off big down the stretch.