New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson went through a full practice on Thursday for the first time since having right knee surgery, head coach Alvin Gentry announced.
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.
“If it was up to me, I would have been out there two weeks ago,” Williamson said regarding his first practice back. “It was just good to get back out there.”
The No. 1 overall pick averaged 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in four preseason outings before undergoing surgery for a torn right lateral meniscus in October.
The Pelicans are 11-23 and travel to face their former star Anthony Davis and the Lakers on Friday (10:30 ET, ESPN).
