Zion Williamson is being eased back into action to start off his NBA career following a knee injury, but we’re already seeing what the 2019 No. 1 overall pick is capable of. After scoring 22 points over 18 minutes in his NBA debut on Wednesday, Zion scored 15 points in 21 minutes — on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor — vs the Nuggets on Friday night.
Since the shot clock era (1954-55), Zion Williamson has recorded the highest shooting percentage in the first two games of any player's career (15-20 FG, 75%). pic.twitter.com/NKjsAXvey5
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) January 25, 2020
But Zion’s highlight of the night came on the defensive end, when he showed off his absurd athleticism by swatting a shot several rows into the stands. And a fan smoothly caught the ball while holding a beer in their other hand.
ZION WHAT THE
If y'all see that ball rolling down Poydras Street later, let us know pic.twitter.com/ckR5PXmHRV
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 25, 2020
😳 Need ALL the angles of @Zionwilliamson's MASSIVE DENIAL! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/LYEbkQ6DT5
— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2020
Very impressive, by both Zion and the fan.
The Pelicans lost the game 113-106, but this is the kind of game they may win when Zion is able to take on a full workload. Zion led all players in this game with a plus/minus of +16.
