Zion Williamson is set to make his long-awaited NBA debut tomorrow night when the Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs. Williamson has been sidelined since the preseason after undergoing knee surgery. The 19-year-old phenom is ready to help the Pels get into the playoffs.
“We did go through a bad stretch, but things have turned around, everybody has been playing better, I’m just looking to join in on all of the fun,” said Williamson.
New Orleans has won 10 of its last 14 to move 3.5 games back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Tip-off for tomorrow night’s game has been moved to 8:30 to accommodate ESPN’s national TV broadcast and the Smoothie King Center should be packed. NBA fans have been eager to see Williamson play.
“I know the people of New Orleans are going to show a lot of love that’s what they do, but for the outside people, all I can do is invite the love, if they want to bring it then bring it,” Williamson said.
Williamson was expected to return six to eight weeks after undergoing his surgery in October. But he has missed half of the season as the trainers used the time to get Zion’s entire body ready for the NBA grind.
“There was a lot of times that I just wanted to punch a wall or kick chairs, because it’s frustrating not to be able to move your body the way you want to, not to make any athletic movements, especially since I’m not 19 not being able to play my first NBA game, it’s tough, but I battled through it,” said Williamson.
