The NBA witnessed a rare matchup of two generational talents on Wednesday night, as Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs faced Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. The two players, who were both selected as the first overall pick in their respective drafts, have been compared and contrasted for their unique physical gifts and skills.
Wembanyama impresses in his rookie season
Wembanyama, who was drafted by the Spurs in 2023, has been living up to the hype as the most anticipated NBA prospect since LeBron James. The 19-year-old Frenchman stands at seven foot four inches with an eight-foot wingspan and possesses a rare combination of shooting, ball-handling, passing, and defensive abilities.
In his first 17 games, Wembanyama has averaged 19.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 43% from the field, 27.5% from three-point range, and 82.4% from the free-throw line. He has also recorded four double-doubles and one triple-double and has been named the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for October and November.
Wembanyama has drawn praise from former NBA greats, such as Yao Ming, who said he has never seen a big guy like him before. He has also earned the respect of his peers, such as Luka Dončić, who called him a “freak of nature” after their first encounter.
Williamson returns from injury to lead Pelicans
Williamson, who was drafted by the Pelicans in 2019, has also been a dominant force in the league, despite struggling with injuries and weight issues. The 21-year-old American, who stands at six foot six inches and weighs around 280 pounds, has been a human highlight reel with his explosive athleticism, power, and agility.
In his first four seasons, Williamson has averaged 25.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting 60.1% from the field, 29.5% from three-point range, and 68.4% from the free-throw line. He has also made two All-Star appearances and has been named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2022.
Williamson missed the second half of last season with a hamstring injury and underwent surgery in the offseason. He made his return to the court on November 15 and has since averaged 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while shooting 57.1% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range, and 75% from the free-throw line. He has also led the Pelicans to a 9-9 record, after starting the season with a 1-7 mark.
Spurs and Pelicans battle for playoff contention
The game between the Spurs and the Pelicans was not only a showcase of two of the most exciting players in the NBA, but also a crucial contest for both teams, who are fighting for playoff spots in the competitive Western Conference.
The Spurs entered the game with a 3-14 record, the worst in the league, and had lost seven straight games. They were also eliminated from the NBA’s new in-season tournament, after going 0-3 in their group. The Pelicans, on the other hand, had a 9-9 record, and were in the hunt for a quarter-final berth in the tournament, after going 2-1 in their group.
The game was a close affair, with both teams trading leads and runs throughout. Wembanyama and Williamson both had stellar performances, as they showcased their skills and strengths against each other. Wembanyama finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals while shooting 11-of-18 from the field, 3-of-6 from three-point range, and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line. Williamson had 29 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block while shooting 12-of-19 from the field, 1-of-2 from three-point range, and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line.
However, it was the Pelicans who came out on top, as they edged the Spurs 121-117, thanks to some clutch plays from Brandon Ingram, who scored 24 points, and Josh Hart, who added 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Pelicans improved to 10-9 and secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament, where they will face the Denver Nuggets. The Spurs dropped to 3-15 and extended their losing streak to eight games.
