The most highly-anticipated Summer League matchup in NBA history was interrupted Friday night by forces far outside Zion Williamson's control. During the second half of the No. 1 pick's professional debut between the New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks, a massive earthquake that hit roughly 200 miles west of Las Vegas shook Thomas & Mack Center, sending shockwaves throughout the arena and suspending play until further notice.
A star-laden, sizable contingent of NBA players were in attendance to catch the debuts of Williamson and Knicks wing R.J. Barrett, his teammate at Duke. While their excitement originally stemmed from the aerial antics of Williamson and Knicks sophomore Mitchell Robinson, their attention – just like everyone else's – quickly shifted to addressing one of the biggest earthquakes in Southern California in decades.
Pre earthquake😩🙏🏾 https://t.co/vGihUPVIwE
— JJJ (@jarenjacksonjr) July 6, 2019
I’m an XL thank you https://t.co/N5D43T9O4p
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) July 6, 2019
Not another one 😩🤦🏽♂️
— Ben McLemore (@BenMcLemore) July 6, 2019
Ive never got dressed so fast in my life
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) July 6, 2019
Just experienced my first earthquake while being on the 21st floor of a hotel. Talk about scary
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) July 6, 2019




Damn that was really wild
— Michael Carter-Willi (@mcarterwilliams) July 6, 2019
Be safe my friends @NBA summerleague sheesh https://t.co/UfHftSNaBw
— Baron Davis (@BaronDavis) July 6, 2019
Josh Hart, recently sent from the Los Angeles Lakers to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis trade, first expressed shock and awe at Thomas & Mack shaking under his feet. Moments later, the third-year guard came to the realization that he wouldn't have to worry about earthquakes now that he's in New Orleans.
They don’t have earthquakes in New Orleans, right?
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) July 6, 2019
The earthquake measured 7.1 on the richter scale, occurring in Ridgefield, CA. It follows Thursday's 6.4 earthquake in Southern California, which until Friday night had been the biggest California experienced in two decades.
The Pelicans led the Knicks 80-74 when play was suspended.