Report: Zion to miss several weeks to start season with knee injury
While a severe knee injury has been ruled out for New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, he is expected to miss a period of weeks to start the regular season, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The 19-year-old will undergo further evaluations on his right knee Friday and possibly Saturday, sources told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.
Williamson was already ruled out of the club's final preseason game with right knee soreness and missed the majority of summer league with a bruised left knee.
Head coach Alvin Gentry believes Williamson suffered the injury in the Pelicans' latest game against the San Antonio Spurs last Sunday, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews.
The No. 1 overall pick lived up to the hype during his brief four-game preseason stint, averaging 23.3 points on 71.4% shooting while also adding 6.5 boards and 2.3 assists per contest. Williamson posted at least 20 points and 70% shooting in three of those matchups, joining Chris Paul and Shaquille O'Neal as the only players in the last 20 years to accomplish that feat, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
He earned the John R. Wooden Award as the nation's top male collegiate player during his lone season at Duke.
Seasoned European veteran Nicolo Melli and second-year forward Kenrich Williams are expected to fill in for Williamson during his absence.