NBA IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT

December 6, 2023

Zion Williamson

Brandon Ingram

New Orleans Pelicans

Semifinal Practice Day

Q. Just your thoughts on the court out there, the venue and your thoughts on playing these games, the final few games in Las Vegas.

ZION WILLIAMSON: My thoughts on the court is it looks like a stage. That looks dope. This whole experience, I think it's a good steppingstone for us, so we're excited for this journey. We're excited to go out there and compete and hopefully get the win.

Yeah, that's about it, just excited to be here.

BRANDON INGRAM: Yeah, the court is cool. I feel like it's another time for us to go out here and show who we are. We're not on TV a lot, so we get to go out there and have a little bit of fun with the lights on. I know a lot of my teammates like to play when the lights are on.

Q. BI, you just mentioned how you guys aren't on national TV a lot. CJ referenced that earlier. How would you describe this group of guys to people that aren't familiar with the Pelicans in terms of how much fun you guys have and kind of the bond and some of the entertaining stuff that you do throughout the season?

BRANDON INGRAM: Goofy. We come to work, we all have fun. Off the court, on the court, we all have fun. We're all around the same age.

But when we get on the floor or when everybody gets on the floor, everybody is just locked in, locked in to what they do, trying to get better. When we come together, we just try to put it together and stay focused.

But having fun at the same time, being loose. But making sure that we're keeping our eye on the goal.

Q. You mentioned that you guys like to have fun. Have you thought about how you're going to celebrate if you're able to pull this off?

BRANDON INGRAM: No, we ain't thought about it, but I know it's going to be a good time.

ZION WILLIAMSON: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Q. CJ had mentioned the prize money a couple times as a motivating factor, not only for the Pelicans but for everybody involved. How much for both of you is the prize money a motivating factor, and do you know what you would do with it if you won the 500K?

BRANDON INGRAM: For me, I think my motivating factor is just seeing my teammates really getting ready for these games. Like this is a different approach. You see some of my teammates getting -- some of them that don't get extra shots after the game, they're really locked in and getting extra shots after shootaround or after practice. It's just like a different feel.

I just get my motivation from my teammates because I know how bad they want this.

ZION WILLIAMSON: The same. To see how excited our teammates are about that prize, but to be able to win something this early in the season, I think that's really been the driving force for us. Just motivation, obviously, for the $500,000, but to be known as a winner.

Q. What's the best and worst thing you can say about each other?

BRANDON INGRAM: I don't know, you caught me off guard with that one.

ZION WILLIAMSON: That's crazy. What would you say is the best and worst thing about your best friend?

Q. He's your best friend?

ZION WILLIAMSON: Something like that. José [Alvarado] and Naji [Marshall] might say otherwise, but something like that.

Q. So let's talk about José.

BRANDON INGRAM: José is just like real annoying sometimes. Like he can overdo it sometimes.

But I think the good thing about him is he's always going to be there. He's always going to show love, and he's always going to keep it real.

Q. You guys have both talked about the way you guys have approached this tournament and how excited you are about it. Have you been surprised how quickly it's picked up around the league and other guys around the league have been invested in it as fast as everybody has been?

BRANDON INGRAM: I mean, I'm not surprised because everybody loves competing for something, especially with all the talent that's in the league. You see how the Lakers came out last night and how Phoenix fought back in that second half last night.

When the lights turn on, guys just start competing.

Q. Are there any things you guys would like to see improved or changed about it for next year?

ZION WILLIAMSON: Relax. Relax. We're not there yet. I think we've still got to go through the experience first before we can answer that one.

Q. Obviously you both have been in the league for a few years. Compared to the atmosphere that you expect in November and December, how much fun has it been to play in some of these In-Season Tournament games, the game Monday in Sacramento but also the games in New Orleans and how much are you looking forward to tomorrow night's atmosphere?

BRANDON INGRAM: It feels like March Madness a little bit. Or like an AAU team traveling and being in the same spot in Vegas.

ZION WILLIAMSON: That's a good one.

BRANDON INGRAM: It's going to be fun. The physicality has picked up. The style of play is a little bit different. The best players, they just go out there and show a little bit more. You see how important it is for everybody on the floor.