In the first of three matchups between the top 2 picks of the 2019 NBA Draft - Zion Williamson and Ja Morant - it was all Zion and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Williamson registered a career-high of 24 points (9-15 FGs), six rebounds, three assists, and a team-high +25 in his 29 minutes of action.
He's been delivering highlight-reel plays each game and this one was no different. Just look at this finish, where he catches the ball from behind the backboard:
Zion caught it from BEHIND THE BACKBOARD! #WBD pic.twitter.com/gQGTiC29VG
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 1, 2020
Here's a look at that from another angle:
This angle 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YZstBXT96t
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) February 1, 2020
A total of eight Pelicans finished in double figures as they comfortably beat a Grizzlies squad that had won 11 of their last 14.
The team's starting guard combination of Lonzo Ball and Jrue Holiday combined for 37 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds while 2020 All-Star Brandon Ingram finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
For the Grizzlies, seven players finished in double figures, but they could never recover after getting outscored 44-27 in the third quarter. Jonas Valanciunas was the team's biggest contributor with 18 points (8-13 FGs), eight rebounds, and four blocks in 27 minutes while rookie Ja Morant finished with 16 points (7-12 FGs) and three assists in 27 minutes.
💥 Ja Morant gets 🆙 for the alley-oop flush! #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/Ug3ZK2kLPQ
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) February 1, 2020
Postgame, the top two picks, who were teammates for an AAU team - the South Carolina Hornets - for a single season, exchanged jerseys.
Zion & Ja swap jerseys ✊ pic.twitter.com/L6YSQCFGqU
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 1, 2020
Barring injuries, these two future superstars are set to face-off two more times this season - Mar. 22 and Mar. 25.
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