Pelicans’ Zion Williamson has had offseason surgery on a broken foot, should be ready for the season

NEW ORLEANS – Zion Williamson broke his right foot over the summer but is expected to be available for the regular season, New Orleans Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said Monday.

In his remarks on media day, Griffin said Williamson injured his foot early in the offseason before the Summer League and underwent surgery soon after to repair a broken fifth. metatarsus of the right foot.

“He had a fractured right foot that was surgically repaired,” Griffin said. “His schedule should get him back on the field by the time of the regular season. That would be our hope and our perspective. And we’re very optimistic about what that looks like.”

Griffin said he, general manager Trajan Langdon and vice president of player care and performance Aaron Nelson had met with Williamson and his parents to set a return-to-play schedule.

Due to the injury, Griffin said Williamson had not been with the team in Nashville for the past two weeks as the players gathered there for informal practices. He said head strength and conditioning trainer Stan Williams had been with him through the process.

Additionally, Griffin added that Williamson’s rehab was “in sync” with the organization.

While Griffin doesn’t think it was “very likely” that Williamson would play in the preseason, he expects Williamson to ramp up during this time so he can be ready for the regular season.

Williamson was limited to 24 games in his 2019-20 rookie season and didn’t make his debut until January due to a knee injury that kept him from playing for 13 weeks. Last season, Williamson’s 2020-21 season ended early with a thumb injury as well.

Despite this, Williamson averaged 25.7 points on 60.4% shots in his first two seasons.