The first overall pick in 2019, Zion Williamson, will play his first game against the Indiana Pacers.
After injuries limited his rookie season, Zion Williamson did not play against the Indiana Pacers in his first campaign. Now, with the Pacers traveling to New Orleans on Monday night, they will get their first crack at the human highlight reel.
Williamson missed both matchups last year as he dealt with injuries but looks fresh to start his sophomore season. Through six games this season, Zion is averaging 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 54.9 percent from the field. He is also getting to the foul line eight times per game.
Zion will be a tough task for a Pacers frontcourt that has struggled with foul trouble and rebounding early this season. Coming off a loss to the Knicks that featured Mitchell Robinson dominating the offensive glass, Indiana will have to clean up their rebounding and boxouts down in New Orleans.
Domantas Sabonis has been Indiana’s best player so far this season and Myles Turner has done a great job on the defensive end while making enough plays on the offensive end to be a threat. The two of them will have their hands full against Steven Adams and Zion Williamson but it should be a great matchup to watch.
If both big men are in the lineup for both sides, this could be a game dominated down low, which is not the trend of today’s NBA. Zion has to be accounted for at all times as he can fly in for boards and attack the cup with relative ease. Not to mention Brandon Ingram will be a threat from the perimeter all night long. While the Pelicans may not be a top-tier team in the league, they have the players to make this a very difficult night for Indiana.
It will also be interesting to see if Aaron Holiday stays in the starting lineup or if Bjorkgren decides to put Justin Holiday in to help defend the perimeter and have size on the wing. This will be an exciting matchup that you don’t want to miss.