Zion's expected NBA debut moved to national broadcast

ESPN shifted its broadcast schedule for Wednesday, Jan. 22 to account for the anticipated debut of New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, the network announced Friday.

Instead of the previously scheduled game between the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets, ESPN will televise the Pelicans' home game versus the San Antonio Spurs. Tipoff has been adjusted to 9:30 p.m ET.

Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in last June's draft, has yet to make his regular-season debut after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn right lateral meniscus in October.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry has attempted to temper expectations, insisting last week that Williamson would play "very limited minutes to start." In announcing the date of the Duke product's expected debut, however, team vice president David Griffin said there would be no minutes restriction.

Despite ranking 12th in the West with a 16-26 record, the Pelicans sit just 3 1/2 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the conference's final playoff position thanks to a 9-3 run over the team's last 12 outings.