Zion Williamson Makes Intriguing Kyrie Irving Statement

Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans) spoke about Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks).

Mar 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) is interviewed by the media after the game at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Kyrie Irving is one of the best players in NBA history.

This past year, the 2016 NBA Champion averaged 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 49.7% from the field and 41.1% from the three-point range in 58 games for the Dallas Mavericks.

Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) dribbles the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the second quarter in game five of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images / Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Recently, New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson spoke about the best trash talkers in the NBA (h/t Overtime).

He surprisingly mentioned Irving.

Williamson: "He never initiates it from what I've seen, but whenever someone does talk trash to him, he takes it to another gear; would be Kyrie."

Williamson also mentioned (Phoenix Suns) Kevin Durant and (Minnesota Timberwolves) Anthony Edwards as other talented trash talkers in the NBA.

“Ant talks trash kinda directly”

Zion on Anthony Edwards’ trash talk 🤣 pic.twitter.com/3K8tsGXrKZ

— Overtime (@overtime) September 9, 2024

Williamson and Irving have faced off six times over their career.

Irving has a 4-2 record in those matchups.

Apr 20, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Williamson has dealt with injuries over his five seasons in the league.

However, he is coming off a year where he appeared in a career-high 70 games.

The former first-overall pick averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 57.0% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point range.

Jan 15, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) dribbles the ball past New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Pelicans finished last season as the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 49-33 record.

They were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Mavs were the fifth seed with a 50-32 record.

They reached the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2011 season.