New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson has set a new record for the highest field goal percentage by an NBA player through their first 40 games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau via ESPN Stats & Info.

Forty regular-season games into his NBA career, Zion Williamson has entirely defied player comparisons, though many coaches and analysts have compared Williamson to Hall of Fame forward Charles Barkley. Despite the obvious similarities, Williamson has strung together an effective and efficient stretch that Sir Charles was never able to produce.

On a nightly basis, Williamson has been able to achieve rare statistical feats, win or lose. During the Pelicans' recent road trip, Williamson scored 90 points, despite only taking 48 field goal attempts. In that span, the Pelicans played the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Sacramento Kings. Against former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, Williamson shot 14-of-29 from the field en route to a 32-point performance.

Article Continues Below

In the Pelicans' matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, a team known for their defensive efficiency, Williamson shot 53 percent from the field, finishing with 21 points.

Williamson’s production has been efficient during his two years in the league. Along with having the highest shooting percentage through the first 40 games, Williamson has plenty of other interesting statistics.

He is the youngest player in NBA history to have consecutive games of 30-plus points on 70-plus percent shooting, per Elias Sports Bureau. He completed this feat in the Pelicans' matchup against the Utah Jazz in mid-January. Williamson is also leading the NBA this season in field goals from the restricted area, an accomplishment that can be contributed to his physicality and athleticism. Finally, Williamson was the first NBA player since Allen Iverson to score 750 points in fewer than 35 career games.

Williamson has obliterated player comparisons in his first 40 games in the league. The next step for Williamson will be to turn that extraordinary play into wins.