NBA fans got a glimpse of just how explosive New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson can be when he manages to stay on the floor during the team’s season debut Wednesday.
Williamson had 23 points and seven rebounds in a 111–104 win over the Grizzlies. But one sequence in particular truly captured Williamson’s magic. He threw down a pair of electrifying dunks on consecutive offensive possessions late in the first half, first a big-time poster jam over defending Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and then a half-court alley-oop jam that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MjAxNzY3OTUzMzA4NjU3NDI4/screenshot-2023-10-26-at-100300-am.png)
Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s a look at the incredible pair of plays from the 23-year-old.
Z LOOK OUT 😤 pic.twitter.com/YyWevYc3HF
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 26, 2023
Another angle, in case the first wasn’t enough:
OVER DPOY 😤 https://t.co/HDhsERIwQV pic.twitter.com/LH0V2eCbLZ
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 26, 2023
Williamson had played in a total of just 29 games since the end of the 2020-21 season before Wednesday due to a slew of injuries, including a foot injury that caused him to miss the entire 2021-22 season and hamstring problems that limited him to less than half the season in 2022-23. But he’s still one of the most dynamic players in the NBA when at full strength, and fans loved seeing the high-flying forward back to 100%.
Man it’s good to see Zion back on the court 💪🏼 https://t.co/ivOUYeQg0J
— Wil Lutz (@wil_lutz5) October 26, 2023
It’s really, really good to have Zion playing again https://t.co/HC84sy0U7Y
— David Morrow (@_DavidMorrow) October 26, 2023
Z is officially back and good grief does he look healthy. https://t.co/2zPXRbJneM
— Cam Smith (@TheCamProgram) October 26, 2023
A healthy Z is a menace to this league https://t.co/9lWje4FFtR
— Mr. Spacely (@PlaneOlRalphy) October 26, 2023
Zion back? Cuz this looks like Duke Zion https://t.co/JOM1QM0YMP
— Jesse (@13_JMAC) October 26, 2023
please stay healthy dawg https://t.co/tVLnl2bPlN
— immanuel sampetua (@immanches) October 26, 2023