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NBA All-Star Rising Stars Game: Team USA vs Team World

Zion Williamson has shown he can throw down a powerful dunk, but he took things a step further during the Rising Stars Game.

James McKern and Andrew McMurtry
3 min read
February 15, 2020 - 3:08PM
Zion Williamson swamped by the media
Zion Williamson swamped by the media

Zion Williamson bent an NBA hoop. We repeat, Zion Williamson bent an NBA hoop.

Actually, not just an NBA hoop but he left the entire backboard looking a bit lopsided.

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After putting on a dunking clinic in the first half of the NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars game, Williamson went one better before the end of the first half that saw Team World holding the 81-71 advantage over Team USA.

Fellow rookie sensation Ja Morant ran the floor and threw up a fancy between the legs alley-oop pass to Williamson who threw down the almighty dunk.

Moments later as the entire crowd was up and out of their seats, Williamson showed off his true power.

An inside feed to Williamson saw the New Orleans Pelicans superstar rise up and throw down the savage two-handed jam that bent the rim.

That’s right, the entire rim was tilted after encountering the full force of a Williamson dunk.

FULL-TIME: TEAM WORLD 131 - TEAM USA 151

The action was similar to every other All-Star Game that has come and gone in the past, with minimal defense and monster throwdowns the flavour.

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young drew the early oohs and aahs when he went through the legs of Brandon Clarke.

But the hook up everyone was waiting for finally happened halfway through the opening term when the two biggest rookies in the NBA connected.

Ja Morant threw up a halfcourt alley-oop to Zion Williamson who rose up and threw it down, getting the crowd up and out of their seats.

From before the game, all anyone wanted to see was Zion with his introductions being easily getting the most vocal support.

While he ended up with 14 points, two rebounds and an assist from just under 20 minutes, Zion was the man that everyone wanted to see.

The World team looked like they were going to spoil the party for the crowd with the best young talent on display, taking an 81-71 lead to half-time.

But the second half was all Team USA, winning the match 151-131.

Charlotte Hornets second year player Miles Bridges hit 20 points with five rebounds and five assists to take out the game’s MVP but Eric Paschall (23-3-2) and Collin Sexton (21-5-3) were the other stars for the US.

On the other side, New York Knicks rookie and Zion’s former Duke teammate RJ Barrett had 27 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals as the best for the World.

Then again, everyone wanted a piece of Zion.

When the game was clearly over, Williamson was set up for a pair of dunks, missing his first with such power it may still be going up in the air.

I MAGE SHOWS OF ZION’S APPEAL

Williamson has taken the basketball world by storm and etched his name into the record books throughout his opening 10 games.

But ahead of the NBA All-Star Weekend and the Rising Stars contest, the superstar’s popularity was put into incredible contrast.

As all of the young NBA stars sat in booths for their media duties, the hoards of global reporters swarmed to get their questions in.

For some players it was easier for the media to get their questions across. For Zion, it was a completely different story.

The 19-year-old sensation had what looked like every single reporter clamouring to get a shot and ask the New Orleans Pelicans first pick a question.

Another superstar in the contest is Dallas Mavericks second year player Luka Doncic who drew a similar sized to Zion.

You have to feel for Minnesota Timberwolves player Josh Okogie who was positioned alongside Doncic and had only a handful of reporters in front of him asking questions.

Team USA

Miles Bridges — Charlotte Hornets, forward

Devonte’ Graham — Charlotte Hornets, guard

Jaren Jackson Jr. — Memphis Grizzlies, forward

Ja Morant — Memphis Grizzlies, guard

Kendrick Nunn — Miami Heat, guard

Eric Paschall — Golden State Warriors, forward

Colin Sexton — Cleveland Cavaliers, guard

PJ Washington — Charlotte Hornets, forward

Zion Williamson — New Orleans Pelicans, forward

Trae Young — Atlanta Hawks, guard

Team World

Nickeil Alexander-Walker — New Orleans Pelicans, guard

RJ Barrett — New York Knicks, guard

Brandon Clarke — Memphis Grizzlies, forward

Luka Doncic — Dallas Mavericks, guard

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — Oklahoma City Thunder, guard

Rui Hachimura — Washington Wizards, forward

Nicolo Melli — New Orleans Pelicans, center

Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk — Detroit Pistons, forward

Josh Okogie — Minnesota Timberwolves, guard

Moritz Wagner — Washington Wizards, forward

Originally published as NBA All-Star Rising Stars Game: Team USA vs Team World

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/us-sports/nba/nba-allstar-rising-stars-game-team-usa-vs-team-world/news-story/abae276f4d5e4b465d701557918ab19e