Zion Explodes in the 4th Quarter But Pels Fall to Spurs

Zion Williamson explodes for 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and five turnovers in his NBA debut as the Pelicans fell to the Spurs 121-117.

The hype and anticipation swirled around the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans Wednesday night as the New Orleans Pelicans hosted the San Antonio Spurs.

Zion Williamson made his debut and the start was slow as head coach Alvin Gentry was limiting his minutes and playing Zion in short spurts. Early on he looked a little timid, slow, and rusty which is to be expected of course having not played in a game in months.

At the half, he had scored just two points on a hustle rebound and put-back layup.

The second half was a different story, really it was just the fourth quarter.

In that fourth quarter, there was a three-minute stretch where Zion hit four three's and scored 17 straight New Orleans points. On two separate occasions, Alvin Gentry had a sub ready to check-in and he called them back because he was trying to ride out the Zion hot streak as long as he possibly could.

Unfortunately, once Williamson left the floor the Pelicans never were able to recapture the lead and fell to the Spurs 121-117. However, Zion became the first NBA player in history to go 4-4 on three's in his debut.

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