Advertisement

'How on earth': Zion Williamson stuns the NBA with 'impossible' play

Zion Williamson has left the NBA world stunned with an insane alley-oop against the Memphis Grizzlies.

In just the fifth game of his career for the New Orleans Pelicans, Williamson had fans and commentators searching for superlatives on Friday.

‘NOT CERTIFIED’: Disturbing details about Kobe Bryant tragedy

Williamson somehow completed an extraordinary alley-oop after catching the ball behind the backboard.

Zion Williamson, pictured here completing an extraordinary alley-oop in the NBA.
Zion Williamson completed this extraordinary alley-oop. Image: NBA

He managed to catch the ball in his left hand before transferring it to his right around the backboard and laying it into the basket.

The ‘impossible’ pay immediately went viral around the league.

Lakers return to the court for first time

The Los Angeles Lakers faced a daunting emotional task on Friday as they returned to NBA action while honouring the memory of franchise icon Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers were hosting the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Centre arena in their first game since Bryant - who won five NBA titles in a 20-year Lakers career - died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna and two of her Mamba Academy basketball teammates were also among the nine people killed.

"It feels like the game is secondary," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts admitted Friday morning as his team warmed up at Staples Centre.

"Tonight's about Kobe Bryant."

The Los Angeles Lakers, pictured here honouring Kobe Bryant by laying out t-shirts for fans.
The Los Angeles Lakers honour Kobe Bryant by laying out t-shirts for fans. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Hours before game time, two empty courtside seats were a somber tribute to Bryant and Gianna.

Bryant jerseys - both No. 8 and No. 24 - were draped on every seat in the building.

Staples Centre officials asked fans without tickets to watch the planned pre-game tribute "at home with family friends and loved ones.”

The Trail Blazers said Carmelo Anthony didn't travel with the team for personal reasons.

Anthony and Bryant became close when they played together on gold medal-winning US Olympic teams in 2008 and 2012 Anthony saying earlier this week that their friendship "was deeper than basketball."

Anthony played in Portland's game on Sunday, hours after Bryant's death, but teammate Damian Lillard told USA Today he "was not ready" to appear at Staples Centre.

"It's something he was not ready to face and deal with," Lillard said. "We all respect his decision."

with AFP