On Saturday night, the New York Knicks headed to the Big Easy down in New Orleans to take on the New Orleans Pelicans in what should have been a battle of former Duke teammates.
There was only one active for the game in RJ Barrett, who was the third overall pick for the New York Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft. Zion Williamson was the number one pick for the Pelicans and he was on the sidelines for the bame game.
Williamson watched his former Duke teammate cut up his teammates in a 123-117 victory for the Knicks, sending them to 5-1 on the season. With Williamson on the sidelines, New Orleans is now 1-6.
Through three seasons, Williamson has played in a total of 85 games and missed 76 games through that time, including the first seven.
Meanwhile, Barrett continues to not only improve for the Knicks, but had his biggest game thus far in the road victory. Barrett had 35 points with eight rebounds and six assists.
Even if Zion tries to force his way to New York given how much he loves New York and wants out of New Orleans, he can stay there with the injuries and the overweight issues.
The Knicks had it right all along with Barrett and he is getting a chance to shine on the court while Zion remains wasting away on the bench.