Zion Williamson showed up for this season looking slimmed down.
And on opening night, he shone brightly for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Zion’s stat line ended up making a few different types of NBA history.
First, the stats themselves:
- 27 points
- 9 rebounds
- 5 assists
- 5 steals
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He’s the first New Orleans player since DeMarcus Cousins to put up a 25/5/5/5 game, according to StatMuse. That’s not just for season openers. That’s for any game.
As far as season openers go, Williamson was in rare company, too.
He’s the sixth player since 1990 to have at least 25/9/5/5 in a season opener, according to @JayHayKid.
The five players to do it before Zion: Anthony Davis, Darius Miles, Glenn Robinson, Clyde Drexler and Chris Mullin.
That’s not a bad list for Williamson to now belong to.
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The bummer for Zion is that the Pelicans lost, 128-122.
The former No. 2 overall pick right behind Williamson, Ja Morant, had a big night, too, to outduel Zion and get the win.
It’s still a good sign for this Pelicans season that Zion looked that good in the opener, though. There are good things to come.
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