One of the most explosive and exciting players in the NBA has yet to make his season debut, and it was reported Thursday afternoon that his return may take a bit longer than expected.
Pelicans’ Zion Williamson experienced a slight delay in his rehab due to soreness in his injured right foot. Team is optimistic it is not serious but will dial back his ramp up in approximately a week.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 2, 2021
Williamson was selected first overall by the Pelicans in the 2019 NBA Draft but was limited to 24 games that season after suffering a torn meniscus in an October preseason game. The 21-year-old averaged 22.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 27.8 minutes as a rookie and shot 58.3% from the field and 64.0% from the free throw line.
The former Duke Blue Devil was named the Rookie of the Month for February 2020 and was a First-Team All-Rookie despite the truncated campaign.
In year two, Williamson averaged 27.0 points (eighth in the NBA), 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 33.2 minutes per contest across 61 games. Williamson's 61.1% field goal percentage was eighth in the league, and he improved his free throw percentage to 69.8%.
He was named an All-Star in March for the first time in his career.
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