Zion Williamson to miss first two Pelicans games against Houston Rockets

It was reported Monday that New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson underwent knee surgery that will keep him out of his first two matchups with the Houston Rockets.

The NBA season is officially set to start on Tuesday, October 22nd and was supposed to feature the highly anticipated debut of Duke phenom Zion Williamson. The second game on the schedule for the New Orleans Pelicans is an Oct. 26th date with the Houston Rockets. Unfortunately, it was reported on Monday that everyone will have to wait a while longer before seeing Zion in regular-season action.

Over the summer, the Pelicans traded away superstar Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers for Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and the fourth overall draft pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. In addition, they added General Manager David Griffin, who is well-respected around the league.

The biggest addition for the Pelicans is undoubtedly incoming rookie Zion Williamson, who was a human highlight reel in his lone season at Duke. Zion is the reason many basketball experts have the Pelicans picked to make the playoffs, as he’s a generational talent who also seems to be very humble.

More from Space City Scoop

• The unheralded player that gives Rockets fans excitement for the future
• 5 reasons why Rockets fans should embrace the rebuild
• Rockets: 3 reasons why the Oladipo trade isn’t as bad as it seems
• Rockets source buries franchise after Victor Oladipo trade
• Houston Rockets: 3 players that can fill P.J. Tucker’s spot

Unfortunately, Zion will not be able to play in the first two matchups with the Rockets, as it was announced that he would have surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which would keep him out 6-8 weeks. Since the Rockets play their second game against New Orleans and play them again on Nov. 11, seeing Zion on the court against Clutch City will, unfortunately, have to wait until at least Dec. 29.

Zion’s appearance is what made the Rockets’ series against the Pelicans a must-watch, as it would pit the athletic beast with his young supporting cast against an eager Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

The Pelicans will definitely need him back this season if they want to take the leap many are expecting them to, but it’s definitely more about the future with Williamson, as he’s only 19 years old.

The Pelicans will certainly not rush back their rookie and franchise player, as he has his whole basketball career left ahead of him. So much of Zion’s game is based on his freakish athleticism and his unhuman leaping abilities, so it will be important to get his knee fully healed for him to be able to return to form as the same player that everyone enjoyed watching at Duke.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1147329888338231296?s=20

The good news for the Pelicans and the rest of the league is that Zion’s youth should help him recover fully and quickly. Given that his entry into the NBA is the most hyped since LeBron James back in 2003, all eyes will be on his recovery.

The Rockets faced the Pelicans a total of four times during the 2018-19 season and split the season series. For the sake of Zion and all basketball fans, hopefully, he’s able to have a speedy recovery and get back on the court where he belongs.