Zion Williamson Recovering from Fractured Foot: "It sucked"

 

Well, this was an unexpected start to Media Day for the New Orleans Pelicans. VP of Basketball Ops David Griffin revealed that franchise star Zion Williamson is recovering from surgery on a fractured foot, an injury suffered prior to Summer League.

Zion on his injury recovery#Pelicans pic.twitter.com/4oyKC0TCNr

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 27, 2021

Williamson broke the fifth metacarpal on his right foot in a private workout and had to have surgery to repair it during the summer. 

"I think I was overdoing it when I was training," he said. "Because I felt like I had this huge chip on my shoulder. This huge boulder." He says that his healing process has been going well.

Griffin hopes that Zion will be ready to go by opening night of the regular season.

It was a hectic offseason for the Pelicans; in addition to Williamson's surgery, head coach Stan Van Gundy left the team; and a story broke that Zion's family was unhappy in New Orleans, and there were rumblings about whether he'd be better off moving on.

But Williamson came out all smiles on Monday, and was thrilled when a reporter asked him how he feels about the organization. 

Zion gives @FletcherWDSU the "question of the day" award:

Asked about his relationship with the city and team pic.twitter.com/yocx1lgDby

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) September 27, 2021

"I love it here. I love the city of New Orleans. I don't wanna be anywhere else... It's all love between me and Griff," said Williamson.

Zion exploded into superstar status last season, averaging 27 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists, while shooting 61% from the floor.

Other changes for this season in New Orleans, in addition to new head coach Willie Green, are the departures of point guard Lonzo Ball and center Steven Adams, and the additions of Devonte Graham and Jonas Valanciunas.

Photo Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports