Pelicans Superstar Rookie Zion Williamson Reportedly Out Several Weeks With Knee Injury
By Michael Luciano
The biggest concern around former Duke star and Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson was his durability, as some questioned if his 285-pound frame would do damage on his lower body.
Those concerns have been proven emphatically correct, as Williamson will miss several weeks to start the season with a knee injury. Luckily for New Orleans, Williamson's injury isn't serious. However, they will be extremely cautious as he recovers.
A severe injury has been ruled out for Zion Williamson’s right knee, but he is expected to miss period of weeks to start regular season, league sources tell ESPN. Pels are clearly treating injury with an abundance of caution but there’s no shortage of confidence on full recovery.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 18, 2019
Zion has looked the part early in his NBA career, as he averaged 23.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 71% shooting in four preseason games. In doing so, he became the first rookie ever to average 20 points per game in the preseason.
The Pelicans will likely use a combination of Derrick Favors, fellow rookie Jaxson Hayes, and European import Nicolo Mello to tread water until Williamson returns.
Zion Williamson is expected to miss a couple weeks to start the season due to knee injury, “no shortage of confidence” he will be fully recovered, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/oiaRX5rZC7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 18, 2019
Unfortunately for NBA fans, everyone will have to wait to see Zion in his first regular-season action. Let's see how the Pelicans' supporting cast performs without him.