"Duke Zion with the snatch block omg": Fans erupt after Zion Williamson's insane defensive game-winning play

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has taken pride in having his best offseason yet, with fans noticing a return to his Duke days as he showcased his elite athleticism in a game-winning defensive play against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

With the score tied at 103 with just 38 seconds remaining, Williamson missed a floater that could have given the Pelicans the lead. However, Brandon Ingram redeemed the situation by sinking a turnaround jumper with five seconds left, leaving the Blazers time to execute a final play.

Anfernee Simons drove full speed to attempt a layup that could send the game into overtime, but Williamson challenged the shot, completely erasing it to secure a 105-103 victory for the Pelicans.

NBA fans were left in awe of the athleticism displayed by the former Duke star, with one commenting:

"Duke Zion with the snatch block omg."

“Snatch block for game is insane actually,” another said.

“Had Duke flashes with that,” another added.

Williamson’s athleticism was a standout aspect of his college career, characterized by high-flying dunks and impressive blocks during his single season at Duke.

“Zion back in his prime. Love to see it,” one said.

“That was lebron-esque,” another added.

“No way bro snatched that s**t out the sky like that,” another fan said.

In his season debut, Zion Williamson finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks, including the game-winner, although he struggled from the field, going just 4-for-15.

Brandon Ingram, who made the game-winning bucket, contributed 21 points and eight rebounds, while Jordan Hawkins led New Orleans with a team-high 24 points.

Jerami Grant topped the scoring for Portland with 34 points, and Deandre Ayton added 10 points and 15 rebounds.

Zion Williamson explains great offseason

Zion Williamson’s young career has faced setbacks due to injuries and controversies. He missed the Pelicans’ first-round playoff series against the OKC Thunder, which ended in a sweep.

Following that tough first-round exit, he shared that he focused on both physical and mental health during the summer.

"It was a breath of fresh air to experience a summer like that. To be able to really lock in on basketball, really break down film... Working smarter was the main goal for the season," he said (per SI).

He missed the Pelicans' 2024-25 season opener due to an illness, but made a mark in his first game.

The Pelicans will rely on Williamson, who averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and five assists last season, to help them secure another playoff berth.