Los Angeles (AFP)
Three months after his right knee operation, New Orleans rookie Zion Williamson, announced as the new phenomenon in the NBA, is expected to make his debut on January 22 against San Antonio, announced director of basketball operations Pelicans on Wednesday.
"On the basis of today's training, which has not been very intense, we will continue to make him do ranges. We hope to have a little more intense training from the 17th or 19th. If all goes well and he has the medical green light by then, he should play his first game on the 22nd at home against San Antonio, "David Griffin told reporters.
"The recovery process has been really good ... We think he is as ready as he thinks he is, so everything is going in the right direction," said the New Orleans manager.
The 19-year-old pivot, drafted in first position in June 2019 by the Pelicans, after a season at Duke University, injured his meniscus on October 13 in a pre-season victory against San Antonio (123-114) , meeting where he had scored 22 points and taken 10 rebounds.
In four pre-season games, Williamson also impressed with averages of 23.3 points (71.4% shooting success), 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
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