Pelicans forward Zion Williamson shoots 10-for-10 in 1st half to match rare feat

Zion Williamson makes all 10 shots en route to 23 first-half points vs. Dallas.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson enjoyed not just the best first half of his young career Friday against the Mavericks, but one of the best first halves of any young player in recent NBA history.

Dissecting Dallas on a series of drives and finishes around the basket, Williamson shot a perfect 10-for-10 during the first two quarters to match Chicago’s Derrick Rose as the only players 20 or younger to make that many shots without a miss in a half over the past 25 seasons.

Williamson finished the half with 23 points, his career high for one half and nearly matching his season scoring average of 23.8 points per game. All 10 of his buckets came at the rim, including four dunks.

Williamson entered Friday’s game shooting 59.9 percent from the floor, good for sixth in the league.