NBA fans will not have to wait much longer to see Zion Williamson make his pro debut, as the New Orleans Pelicans have finally placed a timetable on the No. 1 overall pick’s return from a knee injury.
Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said Wednesday that the plan is for Williamson to make his debut on Jan. 22 against the San Antonio Spurs, which is a home game.
Jan. 22 against San Antonio is the target for Zion Williamson's NBA debut says Pelicans EVP of basketball operations David Griffin, who is speaking live to reporters now
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 15, 2020
Williamson has already missed exactly half of his rookie season, as the Pelicans have played 41 games. They are 15-26 and could use a boost if they want to climb into the playoff picture, but they are still playing it safe with Williamson and will likely have him on a minutes restriction when he returns.
The Pelicans have been going to great lengths in an attempt to put Williamson in a position where his knee issues won’t linger. He was initially expected to miss 6-8 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee in October, but he has already surpassed that time frame. Fans in New Orleans are more than ready to see what the former Duke star can do.
