The Pelicans open the regular season tonight against the defending champs in Toronto sans superstar rookie sensation, forward Zion Williamson.
Williamson suffered a knee injury in preseason that required surgery and will miss the next six to eight weeks. Locked on Pelicans publisher Jake Madison says it’s a setback for the franchise.
“There is no way to sugarcoat it and say this isn’t a blow to the Pelicans, but if there is one thing you can say about this team it’s that they are deeper than they have ever been before, and I think that is going to carry them to a lot of wins,” says Madison.
Williamson averaged 23 points and six rebounds a game on 71 percent shooting in his four preseason appearances.
Zion’s absence will give new Pels Lonzo Ball, JJ Redick, and Derrick Favors more of the limelight, but Madison says former Lakers small forward Brandon Ingram could benefit most from the minutes.
“This is a guy who has been a go-to scorer in the NBA, particularly when LeBron was out with the Lakers last year and he stepped up to be that number one option,” says Madison.
Ingram, who was acquired in the Anthony Davis trade, put up 18 points and five rebounds a game last year for L.A.
Zion may have been the rookie with the biggest spotlight, but fellow first-rounders center Jaxson Hayes and Nikel Alexander-Walker have also impressed in pre-season, particularly Alexander-Walker.
“He has been outstanding in pre-season, shooting above 45 percent from three, running the offense in the half-court, and just making smart basketball plays,” says Madison.
Tip-off is at 7 PM.
