The NBA needs Zion Williamson back as soon as possible
Zion Williamson is expected to miss the start of the 2019-20 NBA season, but there’s no question the league needs him back as soon as possible
Unfortunately, another NBA star will start the season on the sideline. If you were looking forward to opening night to see rookie sensation Zion Williamson‘s regular-season debut, you’re going to have to wait a few more weeks, it appears, to see him in action.
The New Orlean Pelicans are scheduled to be the first team to tip off the NBA regular season along with the Toronto Raptors on October 22nd, but it looks like the opening game isn’t going to be what people will be expecting.
Traditionally, everyone wants to see the reigning NBA champions in the first game of the year. However, several of the starters have left the team in the offseason including Kawhi Leonard, who decided to join the LA Clippers in free agency.
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Everyone was so also excited to see the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion Williamson, suit up for the first time in the regular season, but now that will not be happening either.
It has been reported that the Pelicans forward is expected to miss the first few weeks of the NBA regular season due to a knee injury. Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry admitted that he believes Zion first injured his knee during a preseason game against the Spurs October 13.
During the four preseason games he played in, Zion Williamson averaged 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in just 27.3 minutes of play per contest.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes, Zion will be receiving additional testing on his knee before returning to the court to make sure he is ready to go. He’s expected to miss the start of the regular season.
The Pelicans closed the preseason with a matchup against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. It was supposed to be each team’s regular-season warmup. It was also supposed to be Zion Williamson’s and RJ Barrett‘s first of many meetings at the professional level. Due to Zion’s injury, that will have to wait. And a while.
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The Knicks and the Pelicans will meet again for the first time in the regular season on January 10th. By then, both RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson will be 100 percent healthy and will be ready to challenge each other.