News

Zion Williamson Brings Excitement To New Orleans In NBA Debut, Breaks NBA Record [Video]

On Wednesday, the number one overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion Williamson, made a statement in the most highly anticipated debut since LeBron James’ first game in 2003. The Pelicans had previously held him out after the former Duke star suffered a torn meniscus in his knee during a November preseason game.

Listed at 6’6”, 284 pounds, Williamson was named a starter in Wednesday’s matchup with San Antonio and proceeded to play sporadically until he entered the game in the fourth quarter for a historic stretch.  With the Pelicans down nine, he caught a pass from Lonzo Ball and hit his first career three pointer from the top of the arc. He wasn’t done yet. In just three minutes of action, Williamson scored 17 straight points and went 4-4 from three point range becoming the first player to accomplish this feat in an NBA debut.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

He was looking unstoppable but sat the final five minutes of the game due to a minutes restriction coach Alvin Gentry and vice president of baskeball operations David Griffin decided on prior to the game. The Spurs ended up winning 121-117.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“It’s not something that I think the coaching staff was overly comfortable with, just conceptually, but I also don’t really care,” Griffin said on Adrian Wojnarowski’s podcast. “We spent 14 weeks putting him position to have a sustainable future and we’re going to be very mindful of that moving forward.“

The day after his first game Gentry told the media,”He is fine, really. Practiced today and everything, so there was no soreness, and he said he was fine.”

Williamson will take the court again on Friday when the Pelicans host the Nuggets.

“There’s really no comparison to me. I try to add every level to my game,” Williamson told Wojnarowski. “My body is just built different. Some people try to look at it as a weakness, but I look at it as a blessing.People aren’t used to guarding this kind of size and I’m able to add a little finesse to my game so it has flavor and I’m a playmaker so I can create for my teammates and when I have to finish I’m gonna finish.”

Frank DeLorenzo

Recent Posts

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

2 hours ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

20 hours ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

20 hours ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago