Zion Williamson wasted no time reminding the NBA why he’s still got some of the most elite bunnies in the NBA. On the first possession of the Pelicans’ home matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, the All-Star forward threw down a crazy dunk over the French phenom that instantly sent the Smoothie King Center crowd into a frenzy.
The two former No. 1 overall picks were the main attraction heading into Friday night’s contest in New Orleans. Wembanyama, coming off a 40-point debut against the Dallas Mavericks, had the league buzzing after making veteran defenders look small in comparison, per Larry Brown Sports. Williamson, meanwhile, entered the game with something to prove after a close 128–122 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Pelicans’ season opener.
Zion Strikes First
The Pelicans won the opening tip, which was an impressive feat against the 7-foot-5 Wembanyama, and immediately went to their star forward. Williamson took the ball, drove left, and attacked the basket coming off a screen. As he met Wembanyama at the rim, Zion muscled through the contest and slammed it home. The crowd erupted, and even Spurs fans watching at home had to respect the power on display.
You could ask yourself whether it truly counted as a “poster” since Wembanyama recovered from a screen and managed to get a clean contest. Still, the optics were impossible to ignore. Williamson’s dunk became one of the newest viral moments of the NBA’s opening week.
To Wembanyama’s credit, he responded quickly. The Spurs star blocked four of Williamson’s shots in the first quarter, all within the span of five minutes, proving the sensation was not rattled. The back-and-forth between them gave fans exactly what they hoped for, a glimpse of the league’s next great individual rivalry.
A Needed Spark for the Pelicans
The Pelicans came into Friday’s game needing to rediscover their rhythm after falling short in their opener. Williamson’s all-around performance against Memphis showed how vital he is to New Orleans’ success. He finished that game with 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals on 10-of-21 shooting, carrying much of the offensive load.
Speaking before the home opener, Williamson expressed excitement about performing in front of his city again, Sports Illustrated reports. “Always competing against great players, as a competitor, is dope,” he said about facing Victor Wembanyama. “But I definitely look forward to playing at the crib. That’s the city. I hope the city comes out and brings the energy. We’re looking to put on a show and have fun.”
The Pelicans have often struggled to capitalize on home-court advantage. In the 2024–25 season, they were 5–7 at home when Williamson played, but 14–27 overall at Smoothie King Center. Improving that record is a priority for head coach Willie Green’s group, and plays like Williamson’s early dunk help set the tone.
Even in a young season, moments like this can carry weight. Williamson’s dunk did more than energize the building; it reasserted his presence as one of the most dominant interior players in the league. Wembanyama may be the NBA’s next big thing, but Williamson reminded everyone he is still here and still capable of producing wild highlights at any moment.
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