Head coach Alvin Gentry announced that New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson underwent a full practice on Thursday for the first time since his right knee surgery.
New Orleans is beginning a two-game road trip on Friday, but Williamson will not be active just yet, according to Gentry. Still, both sides remain hopeful that Williamson will make his NBA debut sometime this month, as reported by Shams Charania of Stadium.
“Given the choice, I would have returned to practice two weeks ago,” Williamson said about his first practice back. “It was just nice to be back out there.”
Before undergoing surgery for a torn right lateral meniscus in October, the number one overall pick averaged 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in four preseason games.
The Pelicans are 11-23 and travel to face their former star Anthony Davis and the Lakers on Friday (10:30 ET, ESPN).
