New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry cautioned reporters after Saturday's blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks that No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson will not be “coming in as cavalry,” according to Marc Stein of The New York Times. There was resignation in some corners that his return would have to wait until 2020, when he could make his official NBA debut.
It's been almost a full eight weeks since Williamson underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus, though executive vice-president David Griffin noted his return would take longer than the aforementioned six-to-eight-week timetable.
Williamson is expected to play under a firm minutes restriction and be kept out of back-to-backs upon his return.
The Pelicans are 6-17 after going undefeated in the preseason, but they won't be trotting out Williamson hoping that he is the key piece to a turnaround in their season, rather following the process of developing their young players, as they have been doing with fellow lottery pick Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Niccolo Melli.
At this point, the Pelicans aren't hoping to make a playoff push after the quarter mark of the season, but rather remain committed to the process and hoping Williamson is healthy enough to finish out the season without any major setbacks. The 6-foot-6 phenom weighed in at 285 pounds in his lone year with the Duke Blue Devils, and while his weight has been undisclosed thus far, he's expected to also follow a dietary plan to keep him in shape for a rigorous and long NBA season.
Follow Us
Subscribe