Zion leaves summer league debut with knee injury
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson won't return to Friday's summer league clash against the New York Knicks after taking a knee-to-knee hit, the team announced.
The injury occurred in the first half, but it's not expected to be serious, according to ESPN's Cassidy Hubbarth.
Williamson appeared to be working on his knee with a member of the Pelicans' medical staff at halftime, but the club opted to take precautionary measures and hold him out for the remainder of Friday's game.
Zion Williamson is not returning tonight due to a knee issue. Appears he was working on it at halftime pic.twitter.com/Gf8NcbN9I4
— Rob Lopez (@r0bato) July 6, 2019
The former Duke star finished with 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting in 9 minutes of action.
Williamson came as advertised in his Pelicans debut, showing off his extreme athleticism with a 360 windmill dunk during warmups. He followed that up with an impressive strip of Knicks forward Kevin Knox before throwing down another monster slam.
Another look at @Zionwilliamson's steal-dunk!
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 6, 2019
💪#SummerPelicans pic.twitter.com/m4UGH7ksw0
However, Williamson had a team-worst minus-15 rating.
Head coach Alvin Gentry said pregame that the team's plan was for the No. 1 overall pick to play 24-28 minutes, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews.
"I want him healthy in the regular season," Gentry said, according to Andrews. "We won't push him tonight."