Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson is expected to miss weeks with knee injury

In the days ahead of the 2019-20 season opener, the New Orleans Pelicans were dealt a significant blow with promising rookie big man Zion Williamson being declared out for the next few weeks due to a knee injury.

Reports have stated that Williamson has avoided a serious ailment, but it’s still drawing some concerns over the situation. With that in mind, head coach Alvin Gentry has voiced the 19-year-old will be fine and be back in the mix shortly, according to Andrew Lopez of ESPN.

“Yeah I mean he’s fine,” Gentry told reporters when asked how Williamson was feeling. “He’s not dead guys. He’s a typical 19-year-old kid. He’s upbeat, he has fun and he’s living his dream as he said.”

Although New Orleans has no serious concerns about Williamson’s health, it’s quite early in his career to be dealing with a nagging knee injury. There have been many promising talents to enter the league and see them get derailed due to their health.

Williamson put together a strong preseason where he averaged 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 71.4 percent from the floor in just 27.3 minutes per game in four appearances. The Pelicans will likely look to take the precautionary approach with their prized rookie to get the most out of him.

There is no timetable from the team for when they will have Williamson back in the mix, but the Pelicans will work with the long-term plan in mind for what could be the next face of the franchise.