By ADAM ZAGORIA
Zion Williamson‘s NBA debut is finally upon us.
The 6-foot-6, 282-pound No. 1 pick out of Duke will make his NBA debut Wednesday night on ESPN when the Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs, although head coach Alvin Gentry has said he’ll likely play limited minutes. Zion will be playing his first NBA game after suffering a torn right meniscus in October.
Asked how it compared to his debut at Duke last season, he said, “This is my first NBA game. This is different, it’s business.”
As for his journey thus far, the 19-year-old said his mother provided some wise words.
“My mom always looked to me and said, “No one told you this was going to be easy,” Williamson told reporters Tuesday in New Orleans. “So it’s a part of the journey. I embrace and I get to play.”
Zion’s mom told him it wasn’t going to be easy.
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 21, 2020
His wait is almost over. pic.twitter.com/G5jbjqwpDM
“They adopted me”
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 21, 2020
Zion has witnessed the love from New Orleans first-hand ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/ly6lYF4Czq
The Pelicans are 17-27 and remain 3 1/2 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.
Zion said he’s felt support from the people of New Orleans as he’s sat out and rehabbed.
“It’s been great, man,” he said. “The city’s beautiful, the people are beautiful as well. They welcome me, I feel like they adopted me a bit. They show love everywhere I go and they just tell me they can ‘t wait for me to get back out there.”
Prop bets on Zion’s debut are drawing a high level of interest. The latest NBA odds are also listed here from SBD.
Zion’s Single-Game Props for Jan. 22nd
Over/Under three-point attempts: 0.5
Odds to make a three-pointer: 9/2 (+450)
Odds to record a block: 3/2 (+150)
Zion Williamson Season Props
Over/Under Games Played Rest of Season: 29.5
Over/Under Free-Throw Percentage: 65.5%
Over/Under Three-Point Percentage: 28.5%
Photo: Getty Images
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