Zion Williamson has been in the NBA since 2019, but had never before played in front of a full house at Madison Square Garden.
“It was my first time playing at Madison Square Garden with no COVID restrictions,’’ Williamson said after a 115-92 Pelicans win over an undermanned Knicks team. “New York is the mecca of basketball. Playing here for the first time like that — I fouled out, unfortunately, it was dope. Fans are really behind the Knicks. But for me, I’m good in NOLA. I’m glad we got the win.”
It all seemed a bit anticlimactic, as it came in a blowout, with the Knicks without Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, Isaiah Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson.
There was a time it seemed possible Williamson would do that on a nightly basis, back when the Knicks were tied for the best odds to get the top pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
But the Pelicans got the pick, selected Williamson, and the Knicks got RJ Barrett at No. 3.
So when Williamson, who scored 21 points and had five rebounds in the Pelican’s win, was listed as questionable with a left foot contusion prior to Tuesday’s game, there was little doubt he would play.
In his only other appearance with New Orleans at the Garden in April 2021, attendance was limited by COVID restrictions.
Still, after that experience, Williamson also called New York “the mecca of basketball.”
And he raved about the Garden at the time: “I love playing here. I played here in college, and this is my first time playing here in the pros. This atmosphere, whether they’re cheering for you or booing for you, it’s amazing.”
He also raised eyebrows then by adding: “Honestly, I think outside of New Orleans, obviously, I think this might be my favorite place to play outside of New Orleans. I can’t even lie to you, can’t lie to you.”
But that was before he signed a five-year, $197.2 million max contract to stay with New Orleans in July 2022. Since then, he’s clearly learned his lesson.
On the court, Williamson, in a bit of a point forward role, was solid — but not spectacular.
He picked up his third foul with 1:07 to go in the first half — and should have been called for another, as he smacked Josh Hart with his forearm earlier in the game, resulting in a bloody nose for Hart, but no foul. He then had a ferocious blocked shot of a Hart shot late in the third quarter.
Williamson ended up with 21 points, five rebounds and four assists — as well as six turnovers — in 29 minutes before he fouled out with 3:35 left in the game.
Despite his star power, the 23-year-old didn’t generate much reaction from the Garden crowd. But the Pelicans continue to play well and Williamson said that’s where his focus remains.
“I’ve said it over the years, but I think this year we’ve really been asserting it: We want to win,” Williamson said. “At the end of the day, people remember winners. We want to be winners.”