Early on Tuesday evening, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Pelicans are expecting Williamson to make his season debut in January.
"As the calendar shifts to 2020, Pelicans No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson is on the cusp of a breakthrough," Charania noted in a video for Stadium. "Williamson is expected to return to his first practice shortly after the New Year on Wednesday. I'm told both sides are hopeful of a January season debut for Williamson."
It's still not clear exactly which game will be Williamson's debut, but this is the most concrete bit of information we've gotten so far about when he'll finally play this season. We'll likely get a firm date sometime in the next few weeks after Williamson has had a chance to return to real practices and the Pelicans can evaluate his progress.
According to a report from Andrew Lopez of ESPN, Williamson is yet to compete in five-on-five or three-on-three drills. Instead, the Pelicans have focused on individual work, including going back to basics on improving his walking and running form to better prevent injuries in the future.
If it were up to him, Williamson already would have made his debut, according to Jorge Sedano of ESPN. That he hasn't speaks to the priorities of the New Orleans Pelicans as an organization. They are not willing to rush him back before they're 100 percent confident he's ready to lead this team -- not only this season, but for years to come.
"As the calendar shifts to 2020, Pelicans No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson is on the cusp of a breakthrough," Charania noted in a video for Stadium. "Williamson is expected to return to his first practice shortly after the New Year on Wednesday. I'm told both sides are hopeful of a January season debut for Williamson."
It's still not clear exactly which game will be Williamson's debut, but this is the most concrete bit of information we've gotten so far about when he'll finally play this season. We'll likely get a firm date sometime in the next few weeks after Williamson has had a chance to return to real practices and the Pelicans can evaluate his progress.
According to a report from Andrew Lopez of ESPN, Williamson is yet to compete in five-on-five or three-on-three drills. Instead, the Pelicans have focused on individual work, including going back to basics on improving his walking and running form to better prevent injuries in the future.
If it were up to him, Williamson already would have made his debut, according to Jorge Sedano of ESPN. That he hasn't speaks to the priorities of the New Orleans Pelicans as an organization. They are not willing to rush him back before they're 100 percent confident he's ready to lead this team -- not only this season, but for years to come.