New Orleans Pelicans pleased to have Zion Williamson ahead of the first game

Zion Williamson leaves NBA bubble due to family emergency

It comes as delighting news for the New Orleans Pelicans fans as their star rookie Zion Williamson is finally set to join his team in the NBA ‘bubble’. 

The 20-year-old has joined his team for the training after almost two weeks as he had to urgently leave Orland due to family medical urgency. He had returned to Orlando but he was getting regular tests and also spent time in self-quarantine as mandated by the league. 

Williamson’s inclusion means that Pelicans will have a chance to make a cut in the post-season and also expect something better. 

Lonzo Ball Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans

As of now, the rookie hasn’t been cleared to play in the side’s first seeding game against Utah Jazz as the side’s coach Alvin Gentry said, “If he’s ready to play, he’ll play, and if he’s not, we won’t play him,” 

“You’re not going to risk anything long term for something very, very short term. We’ll see and evaluate tomorrow where he is. The medical people will [evaluate him], and so will Zion. Zion will tell us how he feels, and then from there, we’ll go and see and make decisions based on what is best for him and what is best for our team.” he added. 

The forward has averaged 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in over 24.32 minutes per game before the season were called off in March. And the Pelicans had 10th best record in the Western Conference before the season suspension. 

Williamson also addressed the media for the first time since leaving the bubble as he expressed his excitement for stepping on the floor by saying, “If you know me, I wanna hoop. That’s just how I am; I’m never gonna change. I’m gonna want to hoop, simple as that.”