This archive report was first published on 19 October 2019.
October 19, 2019 - New Orleans Pelicans rookie sensation Zion Williamson is facing a setback in his NBA debut, as he is expected to miss several weeks at the start of the season with a sore right knee.
The 19-year-old forward, who was the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, has already been benched for the team's final pre-season contest at New York, with ESPN and the New Orleans Times-Picayune reporting that more details will be known after he is examined over the next day or two.
Williamson's NBA debut, which was expected to be a major attraction, has been put on hold after a strong pre-season run in which he averaged 23.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in four pre-season appearances for the Pelicans.
"He's not dead, guys," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters, adding that Williamson is in good spirits after suffering the injury against San Antonio last Sunday.
Williamson scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the 123-114 victory over San Antonio, but will now undergo evaluations and tests on his right knee over the next two days.
