The New Orleans Pelicans may have been upset to lose their biggest star, Anthony Davis, but they managed to replace him with the biggest star coming out of the college basketball draft, Zion Williamson. Needless to say, Zion had a ton of hype being the #1 overall pick, but the hype-train got slightly derailed when he sat out the first 3-months of the season with a torn meniscus.
Williamson finally made his debut Wednesday night, with the Pelicans hanging on to a chance to make the playoffs. It was a slow start for Zion; he scored just 2-points in the first half as he tried to adjust to the game.
Zion (22 PTS & 4 3PM) delivered a show-stopping performance in his debut! pic.twitter.com/bKfRNN834h
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 23, 2020
Zion fell in rhythm in the 4th quarter, exploding for 17 consecutive points, including four 3-pointers in just under 3 1/2 minutes. The impressive display had fans excited that the hype was well warranted, but that excitement quickly came to an end. The New Orleans Pelicans medical staff demanded Williamson exit the game, strictly adhering to a minutes-restriction. Pelicans coach, Alvin Gentry pulled Zion from the game despite the player’s pleas. The Pelicans lost the game to the San Antonio Spurs 121-117.
“Coach, I can win the game for this team. Leave me in."
—Alvin Gentry on what Zion said before he was subbed out (via @MarcJSpearsESPN) pic.twitter.com/DyQ2WvUGU4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 23, 2020
