Earlier this week it was reported that the New Orleans Pelicans were targeting Thursday's home game against the Utah Jazz for Zion Williamson's NBA debut. Pelicans general manager David Griffin shot down those rumors on Wednesday, but the good news is Zion's return to the court isn't far off.
According to Griffin, Williamson will make his NBA debut next Wednesday, January 22nd, when the Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs at the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans' next nationally televised game (vs Boston, airing on ESPN) is scheduled for Sunday, January 26, at 6pm ET.
Williamson underwent surgery to repair a torn right lateral meniscus in October and there were some rumblings that he could miss his entire rookie season. However, Griffin told reporters on Wednesday that the option to sit out the 2019-20 season was never under consideration.
The 19-year old powerhouse averaged 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during the preseason. Needless to say, the Pelicans' January 22nd home game against San Antonio will be the most anticipated NBA debut since LeBron James and the Cavs visited the Sacramento Kings in 2003.
The Pelicans are currently sitting in 14th place in the Western Conference with a record of 15-26, but they're just four games back of the eighth seed Memphis Grizzlies.
Zion Williamson Expected To Make NBA Debut This Week: Report
Pelicans reportedly targeting Thursday's game against Utah for Zion's debut.
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has reportedly fully recovered from surgery on a torn meniscus and is therefore finally ready to make his long-awaited NBA debut.
According to SiriusXM NBA Radio host Mitch Lawrence, the Pelicans are now targeting Thursday night's home game against the Utah Jazz for Zion's first NBA game. The knee certainly looked well enough during recent pre-game workouts in New Orleans and at Madison Square Garden.
Williamson told reporters at the top of the month that he would have been playing already if it were up to him, and it appears as though the team is finally prepared to give him clearance. The 19-year old phenom, who averaged 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during the preseason, was awarded the AP Player of the Year in a landslide after posting 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game in his freshman season at Duke.
The Pelicans are currently sitting in 14th place in the West with a record of 14-26 but they are just four games behind the eighth seeded Memphis Grizzlies. This week's slate includes a road game against the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, followed by home games against the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers.
Worth noting, that Clippers game will air on ABC at 3:30pm ET so plan accordingly.
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Zion Williamson Update: Pelicans Rookie Progresses To 5-On-5 Action
The wait is almost over.
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson continues to trend in the right direction as his NBA debut appears to be right around the corner. According to ESPN's Andrew Lopez, Zion is expected to participate in 5 on 5 scrimmages with his teammates during Tuesday's practice.
Late last week, ESPN reported that the No. 1 overall pick needed about three or four more practices before the team would clear him to take the "preseason assessment test" that would allow him to make his highly anticipated NBA debut. Zion participated in a full practice last Thursday, which marked the first time that he had been able to do so since undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus.
Prior to the Pelicans' loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night, the team's social media account shared some footage of Zion throwing down a few dunks which certainly had fans itching with excitement.
Williamson, who averaged 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game during the preseason, was awarded the AP Player of the Year in a landslide after posting 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks per game in his freshman season at Duke.
The Pelicans are currently sitting in 14th place in the West with a record of 12-25, and they're obviously going to be overly cautious in their approach to Zion's return. That said, it certainly seems as though it won't be long now before he's back on the floor.
Zion Williamson Provides Injury Update, Speaks On Possible Return Date
Zion took part in his first practice today since undergoing surgery.
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson took part in a full practice on Thursday, marking the first time that he has been able to do so since undergoing surgery on a torn meniscus. Needless to say, this is an encouraging update for Pelicans fans and NBA fans alike, as there were some murmurs that the No. 1 pick could miss his entire rookie season.
Earlier this week Shams Charania reported that Zion and the Pelicans were hopeful that he'd make his NBA debut sometime in January.
"Williamson is expected to return to his first practice shortly after the New Year on Wednesday and I'm told both sides are hopeful of a January season debut for Williamson," said Charania on New Year's Eve.
While January is still the goal, Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry informed the media today that Williamson will not play in the team's upcoming two-game road trip which includes a Friday night showdown against the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pelicans are currently sitting in 14th place in the West with a record of 11-23, and they're obviously going to be overly cautious in their approach to Zion's return. That said, it certainly seems as though it won't be long now before he makes his highly anticipated NBA debut.
Check out the videos embedded below to hear what Zion had to say about his imminent return following Thursday's practice.
