Zion flies high as Pelicans beat United in historic clash

• Tonight was the 26th NBLxNBA clash but the very first to be staged on Australian soil.
• The series dates back to 1995, with Adelaide’s 2022 win over Phoenix the lone NBL victory.
• The most stacked NBL team to not win a championship, including the Adelaide 36ers team that beat the Phoenix Suns

NBA superstar Zion Williamson gave Australian hoops fans the show they wanted, starring in his brief minutes as his New Orleans Pelicans fought off a tough Melbourne United side 107-97 at Rod Laver Arena in a historic night for the NBL.

Williamson, who looks in career-best shape, had 15 points in just more than 15 minutes for the Pelicans in front of a packed crowd with the athletic forward providing several highlight plays to light up a raucous stadium before not featuring in the second half.

The former Duke star and No.1 NBA Draft pick as well as high-profile teammates Trey Murphy III and former Golden State Warrior Jordan Poole showed the difference between the NBL and NBA as they dominated early to give the visitors a 35-24 lead at the first break.

With NBA legends Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the house, New Orleans put on a show with United forward Finn Delany on the wrong end of a highlight dunk from Murphy in the first quarter, Poole providing his usual antics from the perimeter and Williamson creating all kinds of problems for the usually stoic Melbourne defence.

But 2024 NBL champion and one of the early frontrunners for NBL MVP in United import Milton Doyle proved he could match it with the best players in the world, reaching double digits early in the first half to get the home team back in the game with a 27-27 second period. New Orleans went into halftime with an 11-point advantage.

Dean Vickerman's United, who were missing Chris Goulding through injury, weren't there just to be part of the show and that was evident in the third quarter as New Orleans rested some of their stars with another game ahead against South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday. Melbourne took full advantage, again led by Doyle who also received support from former Minnesota Timberwolves big man Jesse Edwards as well as Delany, rising Next Star Dash Daniels and sharpshooter Tanner Krebs.

The undefeated United won the third quarter 28-23, setting up an epic final period with the NBL franchise only trailing the Pelicans by six points at the last break.

Melbourne had their chances in the fourth, but turnovers and missed layups proved costly with United going almost four minutes without a field goal. On the other end, the Pelicans found a way to make crucial plays when needed despite their struggles on the offensive end as well. The bigger, more athletic bodies allowed the Pelicans to do damage on the offensive rebounds, which put the nail in United's chances of being the second NBL team to beat an NBA side.

Murphy III led the Pelicans in scoring with 18 points, Williamson had five assists to go with his 15 points, Poole as well as Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins all had 11 points for New Orleans while Bryce McGowens also had 10 for the visitors.

Doyle was the leading scorer for the game with 25 points and four assists, Delany had 13 points and nine rebounds, Edwards and Tom Wilson both had 12 while Daniels scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds.

The Pelicans next face the South East Melbourne Phoenix at Rod Laver Arena at 2pm (AEST).