Pelicans coach Willie Green said doctors are “encouraged” by the latest imaging on Zion Williamson‘s surgically repaired right foot, but Scott Kushner of NOLA.com believes it’s hard to see Monday’s update as good news. Another round of scans will be conducted in two to three weeks. In the meantime, Williamson is taking part in 5-on-0 workouts, but hasn’t been cleared for full scrimmages.
Kushner compares the delay to Williamson’s rookie season, when he sat out three months after a preseason knee injury that originally had a six- to eight-week projected recovery time. He will miss eight more games if he’s able to return in two weeks, Kushner adds, and 12 if it’s three weeks. It could be much longer if the next set of scans don’t show improvement.
“We need him,” center Jonas Valanciunas said. “We are waiting every day for him to come back. It’s going to be a different look with our team. But he’s a huge piece for us. We need him back. Then we’re going to see what everything looks like.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- Another Pelicans season is already in danger of slipping away, and William Guillory of The Athletic is calling on the organization to place a greater emphasis on Williamson’s weight and conditioning. Guillory adds that while Williamson’s size may not have caused the two injuries, it played a role in keeping him out so long two years ago and will likely do the same this season. New Orleans has been competitive despite its 1-6 start, Guillory notes, but the club doesn’t have anyone to take over on offense in close games.
- The Grizzlies need more production from Jaren Jackson Jr. to become legitimate contenders, writes Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer. Jackson, who received a four-year extension before the season began, is the only Memphis big man who can shoot from the perimeter, but he’s connecting at just a 31.3% rate through seven games. In addition, frequent foul trouble is limiting him to just 26 minutes per night.
- Frank Ntilikina is making a case for more playing time with the Mavericks, tweets Tim MacMahon of ESPN. The former Knicks guard has only been on the court for 61 minutes this season, but Dallas is plus-20 in that time. “When you look at the rotation, you have to play him,” said coach Jason Kidd.
So I guess Brandon Ingram doesn’t exist anymore?? He’s their best player, destroy me if you want but he’s all-around the best on the team and can close games if they go to him
Ya mon! BI is the best when Zion is out, but as good as BI is Zion is a few levels above him, come on dude, you can do better than that, right?
There isn’t much that Zion does better than BI other than layups, dunks and time spent healing. Haha, seriously tho… I don’t watch many games tbh but I know BI is a good shooter all-around, plays good d and can create plays for others and create shots for himself. As far I can tell Zion just backs down for layups and catches lobs, not much to see when it’s the same thing over and over… then again, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Lol. Actually, all Zion knows is “it’s broke please fix it” ha
It’s hard to argue against that with Zion missing so many games because of injuries. The media just doesn’t give Ingram the same amount of attention.
I agree. I was also questioning why Ingram wouldn’t be their go-to, with or without Zion. Yes, Zion is their best player for sure, but Ingram is no slouch and has improved each year.
Jason Kidd using his best Doc Rivers impersonation with that line…if that’s the case, which it is, play him more. He was an obvious fit for them, among many other teams, and has been exactly what I thought he would be for them
Exactly. Such a passive voice comment from Kidd. “You have to play him more”, someone needs to tell Kidd that it’s entirely his decision who gets PT.
Zion is about as injury-prone as they come.
His career so far is starting to look a lot more like Greg Oden, while looking less and less like LeBron James.
Can you define “prone” for me…?
– Kevin Love
Love missed 43 total games in his first 4 seasons, not too bad. Zion has already missed 66 games and is just starting his 3rd season.
He’s a “huge” piece for you is an understatement.
Happy for Frank. Unfortunately, there was no way to salvage his Knick career after the Stooge regime, and he needed a new situation. Kidd is a good HC for him, as he appreciates team skills having them in spades himself.
Hey AL tell us you were right about the French Prince!
Actually per Bas.Ref, Frank is a plus8 on-off, IDK where the plus20 Kidd mentions comes from. Maybe it is an espn stat as there are numerous types of on-off. Overall Frank’s numbers are not that great in a PT role.