The Pelicans are off to a rough start this season, dropping their first three games including Monday’s 122-90 blowout loss to the Celtics. Making matters worse, they had to face the defending champions without their star player Zion Williamson.
Zion sat out with a bone bruise in his left foot. The good news? He doesn’t expect to be sidelined long.
“It’s nothing major,” Williamson told reporters. “Nothing that’s gonna keep me out for a long time. Just day-to-day.”
The injury happened during the Pelicans’ second game against the Spurs when Zion went up for a put-back dunk, landed on someone’s foot, and banged the side of his own foot on the ground.
It’s still unclear if he’ll be ready for Wednesday’s tough road matchup against the Nuggets.
This setback comes after Zion showed up to training camp in the best shape of his NBA career. Fans were excited to see what a fitter, more focused Williamson could do this season.
And he didn’t disappoint in the first two games. Despite the team losses, Zion was putting up monster numbers – averaging 27 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals per game.
The timing couldn’t be worse for New Orleans. At 0-3, they desperately need their 25-year-old star back on the court if they want any shot at competing in the loaded Western Conference.
Pelicans fans have reason to be nervous. Zion’s injury history has been a constant concern throughout his career. Last season, he appeared in just 30 games.
While the team is downplaying this latest setback, everyone in New Orleans is holding their breath. If Zion’s absence stretches from days into weeks, those early-season struggles could quickly turn into a lost season.
For now, they’ll take him at his word that it’s just a minor bump in the road.
