According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, LeBron James had nothing but admiration for Zion Williamson following the Los Angeles Lakers’ season-ending victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

“He’s a beast,” James declared. Since it’s nearly hard to stop him, all I could do was try to stay one step ahead of him and give him a hard time. Man, he’s a fantastic player.”

James finished with 28 points, 17 assists, and 11 rebounds in Los Angeles’ 124-108 victory over the Pelicans on Sunday. Williamson finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.

Tuesday is when the two will play each other again in the play-in tournament.

Williamson has had a tremendous season, averaging 23 points, 5.8 rebounds, and five assists per game, even though he didn’t have his finest game on Sunday. He also maintained his health after battling ailments the previous year.

Williamson will now have to lead New Orleans over the Lakers on Tuesday in order to get to the playoffs. The Pelicans still have a chance to secure the No. 8 seed if they are unable to defeat the Sacramento Kings or Golden State Warriors on Tuesday.

The Pelicans have only made it to the playoffs once since Williamson joined the team in 2019, but he’ll be hoping for a second trip this year.

However, New Orleans must first overcome the Lakers in a difficult bаttle. Los Angeles hopes to replicate their play-in tournament success from 2023, when it advanced to the Western Conference and the playoffs.