As the National Basketball Association began its regular season at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Tuesday night, the talk was not all about who was on the court and the Toronto Raptors celebrations after winning the 2019 NBA Finals. The biggest talk heading into the game was the fact that the Raptors’ opponent, the New Orleans Pelicans, would be without their superstar, forward Zion Williamson of Salisbury, North Carolina.
On Monday it was announced by the Pelicans according to Ricky O’Donnell of SB Nation that Williamson would miss the first six to eight weeks of the regular season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee that required athroscopic surgery. Injuries have been a concern for Williamson during his time at Duke University. The first overall pick has had serious injuries over the last year to his thumb, knee and foot.
The number one pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, there is a lot expected this season for Williamson. He is not only expected to be the Pelicans top player, he is expected to be the face of the franchise. In the offseason, New Orleans began to build for the future. Five days before the NBA Draft, the Pelicans traded their former star player, Anthony Davis of Chicago, Illinois to the Los Angeles Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and three first round draft picks.
On opening night, the Raptors won a tight contest as they defeated the Pelicans 130-122 in overtime. The Pelicans should be excited by the fact that they were able to play a strong game against Toronto without their superstar-to-be in the lineup. Five Pelicans players reached double digits in scoring and were led by Brandon Ingram, with 22 points.
It will be interesting to see how much of an immediate impact the 6’6″ 285 pound star from Duke will have on the Pelicans roster. NBA fans across the globe will anxiously await.
