Skip to content

Zion Williamson joins elite NBA company with career-best performance

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Zion Williamson fires for a career-high 31 points to lead the Pelicans to a resounding comeback win against the Trail Blazers

Zion Williamson topped 30 points for the first time in his NBA career as he led the New Orleans Pelicans to a 138-117 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

The 19-year-old Williamson, who had scored 20 points or more six times in his first eight professional games, finished with 31 points, nine rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes.

Only four 19-year-olds have ever put up those numbers in an NBA game: LeBron James (three times), Kevin Durant and Luka Doncic (twice).

Follow Sky Sports NBA on Twitter
Follow Sky Sports NBA on Twitter

See the NBA's best plays and stay up to date with the latest news

Williamson is the first rookie since Dikembe Mutombo in 1991-92 to score at least 14 points in each of his first nine career NBA games.

He is the third player with seven 20-point games in his first 10 career games over the last 30 seasons, joining Grant Hill and Shaquille O'Neal.

Zion Williamson encourages his team-mates during the Pelicans' win over the Blazers
Image: Zion Williamson encourages his team-mates during the Pelicans' win over the Blazers

No 1 overall draft Williamson's explosiveness was on full display against the Trail Blazers. He mixed spinning dribbles and sudden baseline drives into his usual arsenal of soaring transition dunks and tenacious putbacks.

He used his 6ft 6in, 285lb frame, quick feet and explosive vertical to have his way with every defender Portland tried against him. Williamson was either too strong, too fast, or both.

Also See:

Join our NBA group on Facebook
Join our NBA group on Facebook

Sign up and join the NBA conversation in our Facebook group

"I expect to make an impact but I don't expect to do nothing like this," Williamson said after the game. "I just kind of look to come in, just kind of fit in, just not try to mess up. But my team-mates and coaches are always pushing me.

"I do hold myself to high expectations, but I think it's just finding the line between reality and dreams," Williamson added.

"If my team-mates find me, they find me. If not, just got to make another play, get the rebound and just play defense."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Portland Trail Blazers' visit to the New Orleans Pelicans in Week 17 of the NBA season

"It is kind of scary to see how good he is this early," Williamson's team-mate Josh Hart said.

"I don't really think he is comparable to anyone that I have seen," Portland forward Carmelo Anthony said of Williamson. "Someone who is as powerful as that, who jumps like that… you can tell he is getting better and getting a feel for the game. "

Get NBA news on your phone
Get NBA news on your phone

Want the latest NBA news, features and highlights on your phone? Find out more

Williamson's big night helped New Orleans pull within one-and-a-half games of Portland in the Western Conference standings.

The Pelicans are 3-0 against the Blazers this season, which means they own the head-to-head tie-breaker.

Want to watch the NBA but don't have Sky Sports? Get the Sky Sports Action and Arena pack, click here.

Around Sky