Zion Williamson Looks to Take Duke Dominance to NBA in Debut vs. Spurs

Zion Williamson

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson will make his NBA debut on Wednesday night.

The day has finally arrived for one of the most-anticipated debuts in recent NBA history.

The generational talent and No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion Williamson, will make his professional debut tonight when the New Orleans Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET.

All eyes will be on the Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans tonight as Williamson will be suiting up for the Pelicans for the first time after missing nearly 13 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair his meniscus in his right knee.

Here’s all the information you need to know to tune in:

New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Williamson took the college basketball world by storm in his lone season with the Duke Blue Devils last year, averaging 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. The freshman garnered national attention with his highlight-reel dunks and explosive play that led Duke to an Elite 8 appearance in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

The Pelicans have gotten their feet under them after starting the season 7-23 without their rookie phenom, winning 10 of their last 14 games. New Orleans is currently in 12th in the Western Conference but is only 3.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Now that Williamson is back, the Pelicans will become a focal point of attention around the league. Tonight’s game against the Spurs was picked up by ESPN once news of Williamson’s return became public, bumping the previously scheduled Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets game. The Pelicans will be featured on national TV a few times over the next couple weeks – here’s a look at the schedule of those marquee games, which includes a matchup with James Harden, Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets prior to the Super Bowl on Feb. 2:

Sunday, January 26
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Boston Celtics
TV: ESPN
Time: 6 p.m. ET

Sunday, February 2 (Super Bowl Sunday)
New Orleans Pelicans at Houston Rockets
TV: ABC
Time: 2 p.m. ET

Tuesday, February 4
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Milwaukee Bucks
TV: TNT
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET


Zion Williamson Returning From ‘Frustrating’ Injury

Zion Williamson’s professional career didn’t get off to the grandeur start that everyone envisioned back when the Pelicans selected him No. 1 overall in last June’s NBA Draft.

The 19-year-old (yes, we have to keep reminding ourselves that Williamson is only 19) took a major step backward and was forced into rehab mode just prior to the tip-off of the 2019-20 season when he had knee surgery in October.

Williamson, who spent the last three months rehabbing, spoke on Tuesday at a news conference about how the last few months have been trying and frustrating for the 6-foot-6, 284-pound forward.

“There’s a lot of times when I wanted to punch a wall or kick chairs because it’s frustrating,” Williamson said.

“To not be able to move your body the way you want to, not to make any athletic movements; I mean, it’s tough. Especially because I’m 19 and I haven’t even played my first NBA game. It was tough but I battled through it.”

Before injuring his knee, Williamson was a beast right out of the gate in the preseason, where he averaged 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in four games.

Williamson is eager to take the court in front of what is expected to be a sellout crowd in New Orleans on Wednesday night.

“Honestly, I don’t know if I’m going to get sleep,” Williamson told reporters on Tuesday. “I’ll be too excited thinking about my first NBA game.”