'Welcome to the NBA': Zion Williamson stuns fans after 'ballistic' debut
All eyes were on Zion Williamson as he made his NBA debut for the Pelicans and some fans started questioning his performance as the massive prospect got off to a slow start.
But Williamson was saving his best till the fourth quarter.
‘BEST GAME EVER’: Ben Simmons sends NBA fans into overdrive
Williamson was sitting on just five points after the first three quarters, until the first round draft pick went “ballistic” hitting four threes and putting on 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Despite pulling the Pelicans within reach of the Spurs, Williamson was rested with four minutes to go.
This allowed the Spurs to sneak home against the Pelicans.
Despite the loss, Williamson’s 22 points, 7 rebounds and three assists had fans going absolutely wild.
He also became the first player to hit 4/4 or better from beyond the arc in an NBA debut.
@Zionwilliamson is the real deal. Sincerely, America’s biggest @sixers fan.
— Joseph Ramos (@JosephMcfly87) January 23, 2020
Zion Williamson made 4 threes in a span of 2:34 of the 4th quarter.
He never made more than 3 threes in a game at Duke. pic.twitter.com/hL8n6AQ7qM— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 23, 2020
Zion Williamson scored 17 straight points for the Pelicans in a span of 3:29 in the 4th quarter.
It's tied for the most points in a quarter in a player's 1st career game over the last 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/HPhFsqpRqT— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 23, 2020
🔸22 PTS
🔸4/4 3PT
🔸8/11 FG
🔸17-straight points in a span of 3:29 in 4th QTR
Welcome to the @NBA, @Zionwilliamson! 💪pic.twitter.com/s8lRjpUzVH— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 23, 2020
Zion Williamson getting "MVP" chants in his first career NBA game. Special, special player. pic.twitter.com/SJ85OhsGlk
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) January 23, 2020
Welcome to the NBA, Zion Williamson.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 23, 2020
@Zionwilliamson just went Ballistic
— Ebony haynes (@haynesherway716) January 23, 2020
Zion Williamson is the 1st player in @NBAHistory to shoot 4-4 (or better) from 3-point land in a NBA debut. pic.twitter.com/6wj8a2vUON
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) January 23, 2020
College basketball brawl
College basketball players and coaches spilled into the crowd after a brawl erupted in the dying stages of the game between Kansas and Kansas State University on Wednesday.
The fracas kicked off as Kansas were dribbling out the clock, having effectively secured an 81-60 victory over KSU.
KSU guard DaJuan Gordon stole the ball in the dying seconds, only to have his layup blocked by Kansas big man Silvio De Sousa - who then stared down the guard after he had been knocked to the ground.
Both benches cleared as KSU players rushed to Gordon, as the push and shove spilled into the crowd behind the basket.
More to come.