THE ONLY THING standing between Zion Williamson and the rim was Steven Adams.
It was the fourth quarter of Williamson's 10th career NBA game, and the No. 1 overall pick had just caught the ball at the elbow. Adams waited just above the restricted circle, ready for contact. Someone was going to lose this heavyweight matchup.
Williamson took one dribble, met Adams in the middle of the lane and then buried his left shoulder into the center's chest before stopping to pivot. The force drove Adams backward 8 feet to the baseline, clearing Williamson's path to turn around and scoop in an underhand layup.