Zion Williamson: The unfortunate tragedy of a wounded Titan

Zion Williamson’s delayed, but promising start

To no one’s surprise, come draft night Zion Williamson was selected with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans. Ja Morant and RJ Barrett rounded out the podium as the second and third overall picks respectively, but to be frank, this was the “Zion draft” in much the same way that the 2003 NBA draft was the “LeBron draft.”

But before the titan could even step foot on the hardwood for his first game, Zion would proceed to tear his meniscus during the 2019 NBA preseason. Looking back on it, this first injury would serve as a bitter taste of things to come for both Zion and the Pelicans.

On January 22, 2020, Zion Williamson would play his first official NBA game. Hopes were sky-high for the young forward, with some wondering if Zion would live up to the absurd expectations that had been set for him. Zion responded by scoring 17 points in just over three minutes in the final quarter of the game against the San Antonio Spurs, ending the night with 22 points and 7 rebounds.

While it was not as ludicrous as Tracy McGrady scoring 13 points in just over 30 seconds (also against the Spurs), the game made one point clear as day.

Zion Williamson was just as good as advertised

Not long after, we would be treated to a blockbuster matchup as the New Orleans Pelicans would make the journey to the city of angels to face the Los Angeles Lakers. It didn’t matter if you weren’t a fan of either team. This was a matchup you could not, and would not miss. The story wrote itself. ‘The King versus the Heir Apparent.’ The current face of the league versus its future. LeBron James versus Zion Williamson.

Everyone watching in the arena and around the world expected a show worthy of being played on the silver screen in Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. And that is exactly what they got. You’ve probably heard this a thousand times by now, but LeBron once again turned back the clock to give everyone the quintessential ‘King James experience,’ including Zion Williamson himself. While LeBron’s 40-point performance would lead to the Lakers winning Zion was no slouch, dropping 29 points of his own.

Fellow Pelicans player Brandon Ingram would also have an excellent game, scoring 34 points himself. As such, even in a loss, New Orleans fans were excited for the future. They had promising young players, solid depth, and now they had a cornerstone they could build the franchise around. If only they knew what was coming next.

The injuries reemerge for Zion Williamson

After the first two years of his NBA career, Zion would sadly be sidelined with an injury to his right foot that would require surgery. At first, this wouldn’t seem too derailing. While injuries are never welcome, the silver lining was that it had happened in the summer before the start of the regular season and Zion was predicted to return before it began.

Fast forward a few months, and Zion’s predicted return to the court was pushed back to December. Come December however, and instead of the Christmas present Pelicans fans were hoping for, they got a lump of coal when it was announced that Zion Williamson was still on the mend and would need more time. The New Orleans fans would wait and pray for their golden boy to return to the court. Sadly, Zion would ultimately not suit up a single time in his third season.

While this was indeed a tragedy, at the time it only seemed like a minor setback. Sure it was disappointing, but Zion had more than proved his worth in his first two seasons. Having seen what he was capable of, Pelicans fans were willing to exercise patience. The organization would also exercise its checkbook, signing Williamson to a five-year rookie extension worth close to $200 million. Needless to say, the front office still was fully invested in the Duke University alum.

On October of 2022, the prodigal son would return. In his first regular-season game since his second year, Zion Williamson would lead the Pelicans in a blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets. The victory re-energized the faith of New Orleans in both Zion himself and the Pelicans as a whole. Being able to beat the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving-led Brooklyn Nets was no small feat, as the team from arguably the most famous borough in the world was still a championship contender.

In some fans’ eyes, this was a potential NBA Finals matchup. As the weather got colder, the Pelicans would remain red-hot as they beat the Phoenix Suns, another contender for the coveted Larry ‘O Brien trophy.

With Zion at the helm, the Pelicans were one of the top-seeded teams in the entire Western Conference, a shoo-in for the NBA playoffs, and a team that would surely only get better with age.

Sadly, the good times would not continue to roll in “The Big Easy.”