Mavericks HC: Zion a 'Shaquille O'Neal-type force of nature'

Zion Williamson has been unstoppable of late, scoring 75 points over his last two games while converting 74.3% of his field goals. After Williamson dominated in the fourth quarter of the New Orleans Pelicans' 112-103 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle heaped praise on his game.

"He's an unusual force and obviously a great player. We'll have to figure something a little better out next time, but he's doing this to everybody. ... He is just creating collisions out there," Carlisle said, courtesy of ESPN's Andrew Lopez. "This is a Shaquille O'Neal-type force of nature with a point guard skill set."

Williamson's latest showing made him the first player to score 25 points or more while shooting 65% or better in four straight games since O'Neal did so during the 1995-96 season, Lopez notes.

"You've got to have a lot of courage to stand in there and get run over by that guy because he's coming at you fast," Carlisle said, likening Williamson to a high-speed train.

"He's coming at you, like, it's not just an Amtrak. It's an Acela. It's the fast one that doesn't stop."

Williamson's efficiency is unmatched right now. The 20-year-old Pelicans star is the only player in the NBA currently averaging 25 points or more (26.3) while shooting above 60% from the field (62.8%).