ZION WILLIAMSON

Brace yourself.

Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe believe there were several players who were snubbed from being named starters in the NBA All-Star Game.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James' record-tying 19th selection to the NBA All-Star Game headlined Thursday's announcement of the starters for the exhibition in Salt Lake City on Feb. 19. Fan voting determines the captain from each conference, and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will captain the Eastern Conference. The 38-year-old James has started every All-Star Game since 2005 and served as a captain every season since the NBA implemented the draft format in 2018. Fans, who began voting on Dec. 20, accounted for 50% of the final vote for All-Star starters, choosing three frontcourt players and two guards from each conference. Your starters for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Utah.

Nikola Jokic was back in Denver’s starting lineup Tuesday night against New Orleans after missing the Nuggets’ previous two games because of tightness in his left hamstring.

NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — Zion Williamson is expected to be out at least two more weeks following a recent re-evaluation of his right hamstring injury, the Pelicans said Tuesday night. Williamson appears to be “healing as expected” from the Jan. 2 injury and “making good progress with his recovery,” the club said, but needs to continue strengthening his hamstring and gradually progress to more movement. Pelicans coach Willie Green called the update on Williamson is “absolutely” positive. The Pelicans play again at home Wednesday night against Minnesota, and Green said the staff was “definitely hopeful” Ingram would try to play in that game. Lacking Ingram and Williamson in the lineup has been a factor the team's recent performance, but not always an overriding one.

The New Orleans Pelicans say Zion Williamson is expected to be out at least two more weeks following a re-evaluation of his right hamstring injury.

Following another eventful week in the NBA, LeBron James' stock is (once again) going up, while the Knicks are trending in the wrong direction.

Each week during the 2022-23 NBA season, we will take a deeper dive into some of the league’s biggest storylines in an attempt to determine whether the trends are based more in fact or fiction moving forward. Load management and longer rehabilitation times are employed as safeguards against injuries and re-injury, respectively. Eighteen months removed from ACL surgery, Kawhi Leonard has missed more games than he has played this season, mostly managing that right knee. Tickets for all but seven teams cost more than twice the original price upon resale, according to SeatGeek, pushing that average cost for a family of four closer to $1,000 a night. Your average NBA game is more of a crapshoot.

Brown scored a season-high 41 points and had 12 rebounds and the Celtics won their fourth straight game, holding off the New Orleans Pelicans 125-114 on Wednesday night. It was the 10th time in their careers Brown and Tatum have combined for 70 or more points. CJ McCollum had 38 points for New Orleans, his fifth consecutive game with at least 25 points. Naji Marshall added 18 points and Trey Murphy III had 15 for New Orleans, The Pelicans have lost three of four. Celtics: This was the 19th time Tatum and Brown have both had 30 or more points in a game.

Jaylen Brown scored a season-high 41 points and had 12 rebounds and the Boston Celtics won their fourth straight game, holding off the New Orleans Pelicans 125-114 on Wednesday night.

But before we get to this week's waiver pickups, here are the games played by each team in Week 13. McDaniels is enjoying his best professional season to date, averaging a career-best in points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers made per game. In Week 12, McDaniels averaged 13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 3PM, 2.0 steals, 1.3 blocks and 2.3 turnovers per contest. Schroder is averaging 21.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.0 threes and 1.4 steals across his last five games. For the season, he's shooting 46% from the field, which is his best since the 2019-2020 season.

Kevin Durant had 33 points and 10 rebounds and the Brooklyn Nets outlasted the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 108-102 on Friday night.

We unfortunately aren’t getting a second matchup of the season between Zion Williamson and Kevin Durant on Friday night. The Nets’ 121-112 loss at the Bulls on Wednesday snapped a 12-game win streak. The Pelicans lost back-to-back games on the road to the Grizzlies and 76ers before winning at home against the Rockets on Wednesday. New Orleans is 6-4 in its last 10 games as it followed a four-game losing streak with a five-game win streak before those road losses. Williamson shot 50% from the field and scored 25 points while Durant led all scorers with 32 on 11-of-21 shooting.

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring strain, sources tell ESPN. Williamson underwent an MRI today.

Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker got off to a hot shooting start on Saturday night against the New Orleans Pelicans and helped the team pull off a comeback victory.

Devin Booker didn’t hold back in the latest battle with the Phoenix Suns newest rival. Booker dropped a ridiculous 58 points on Saturday night to lead them past Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans 118-114 at the Footprint Center. pic.twitter.com/M9scnBshrq — Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 18, 2022The Pelicans led most of the way on Saturday, and built up a massive 24 point lead midway through the third quarter. Outside of Booker, Chris Paul dropped 18 points and had eight assists for the Suns. 📲 https://t.co/WjxYAo0Ivs pic.twitter.com/8crG6qeRz8 — NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2022Miles Bridges added 15 points for Phoenix, and Bismack Biyombo finished with 11 points and six rebounds.

Can anyone stop Joel Embiid? And what is going on with the Phoenix Suns? Melissa Rohlin takes a look across the league.

Which, in turn, raises a new question: Rather than a potential "team of the future," is New Orleans a title contender right now? The Pelicans enter Tuesday's meeting with Utah on a seven-game heater that has put them atop the Western Conference at 18-8. New Orleans ranks second in the NBA in steals and deflections per game, and third in loose balls recovered on defense . It starts with Herb Jones, a revelation defending on the perimeter as a rookie who has picked up where he left off in his second season. The odds are against New Orleans surviving both the Western Conference gauntlet and whichever beast comes out of the East.

During New Orleans' past seven games, with Pelicans high-scoring wing player Brandon Ingram sidelined by a left foot injury, Williamson has taken charge, averaging 30.3 points. I think the last seven or eight games he’s looked like Zion, right? For the season, Williamson has averaged 25 points in 21 contests while shooting better than 60%. But Williamson insists he doesn't get too caught up in statistics, as long as the Pelicans are winning. 1 in the West right now," Williamson said after New Orleans defeated Phoenix in two straight games over the weekend.

Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson is producing in ways New Orleans envisioned when they drafted him first overall back in 2019.

No player in the NBA can throw it down quite like Zion Williamson, and the New Orleans Pelicans star used the end of a game on Friday to provide a demonstration. The crowd, predictably, loved it:LADIES AND GENTLEMEN... ZION WILLIAMSON. You can even hear a member of the Pelicans' broadcast say "No, no, no" as Williamson prepares to take flight. The people in the Smoothie King Center paid good money to see, among other things, Zion Williamson dunk a basketball. And now they're in first place, with Williamson averaging 24.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

By Alex Barutha, RotoWireSpecial to Yahoo SportsWe’re nearly at the one-third mark of the NBA season in fantasy. Injuries, drama and the looming trade deadline create plenty of storylines at this time of year, and all of it is worth considering for fantasy. He's somehow flying under the radar despite being the third-best fantasy player in per-game nine-category value since Nov. 16. Don't forget about trade deadline sleepersGiven the number of injuries and rest in the league already this season, we've seen extended glances at many teams' young players. Williamson takes so many free-throw attempts (7.5 per game this season) that every percentage point matters for fantasy managers.

Week 7 of the NBA season is in the rearview, and now it's time to reflect, overreact and assess the fantasy basketball landscape. But I've been most impressed by the assists — can we say Point Zion is back? All this to say, it's going to take a significant haul to pry Zion from another fantasy manager — but it's possible. Some fantasy managers could be willing to deal after he's already missed five games to either injury or rest this year. Nick Nurse says that Gary Trent Jr. (and Scottie Barnes) found out they’d be coming off the bench at #Raptors shootaround when going through their matchups.

1 draft pick Zion Williamson played in his 100th career NBA game Monday as he helped the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. "It's been a long journey," Williamson said, via Nola.com. Williamson is averaging 25.2 points on 60% shooting for his career, the first player to average those numbers in their first 100 career games. Monday night, Williamson basked in a 23-point, 8 rebound, 8 assist performance, close to notching his first career triple-double. With 100 games under his belt, he's in good company in more ways than one.

C.

Zion Williamson will miss Tuesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a right foot contusion. The injury is to the same foot that required surgery in 2021 and caused Williamson to miss all of last season. He steps on Garuba's foot and Zion's right foot rolls. Willie Green says it is a right foot contusion and Zion should be day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/ArusSLwdyC — Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) November 15, 2022After missing last season, Williamson has largely returned to form in 2022.

The defending champion Golden State Warriors fell to 0-6 on the road, losing 114-105 to Brandon Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins sidelined.

The New Orleans Pelicans star returned to their lineup on Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles after dealing with a hip injury, and nearly finished with a triple-double in their 112-91 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Williamson finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in the win at Crypto.com Arena, which handed the Clippers their fourth straight loss. Williamson missed the Pelicans' last two games due to a posterior hip contusion he sustained against the Utah Jazz. Only CJ McCollum scored more than Williamson for New Orleans, putting up 22 points while shooting 4-of-8 from behind the line. They were out-rebounded by nine, shot just 11-of-39 from the 3-point line and gave up 54 points in the paint.

Trey Murphy III scored 22 points and the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans overcame Luka Doncic’s latest prolific performance to beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-111.

New Orleans Pelicans stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both left Sunday's game with injuries and didn't return. The Pelicans confirmed on Monday that he has a concussion and has been placed in the NBA's concussion protocols. The Pelicans subbed him out for Herbert Jones at the next stoppage, and Williamson didn't return to the game. The Pelicans didn't offer a prognosis or timetable for Williamson's return, and head coach Willie Green wasn't aware of his status during his postgame news conference. The Pelicans are obviously hoping for a quick return to action for both Williamson and Ingram after a 2-1 start.

NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — Injuries to Pelicans stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram took some of the luster off of New Orleans' promising start to the regular season. Ingram, a dynamic scorer from the wing who'd averaged 28 points in the Pelicans' first two games, left in the first half with a concussion. “I thought, ‘Oh, man, this isn’t good,'" Pelicans guard CJ McCollum said of the sight of Williamson crashing to the floor on his back side. Williamson had 25 points before his hard fall, after which he checked out of the game for good. The Pelicans play next on Tuesday night at home against Dallas and it was unclear whether Williamson or Ingram will be available for that game.

Injuries to Pelicans stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram took some of the luster off of New Orleans promising start to the regular season.

New Orleans Pelicans stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both left Sunday's game with injuries and didn't return. Williamson left the game after a hard fall on the court following a blocked shot. The Pelicans subbed him out for Herbert Jones at the next stoppage, and Williamson didn't return to the game. The Pelicans didn't offer a prognosis or timetable for Williamson's return, and head coach Willie Green wasn't aware of his status during his postgame news conference. The Pelicans are obviously hoping for a quick return to action for both Williamson and Ingram after a 2-1 start.

NEW YORK — It started behind the Pelicans’ bench, throughout New Orleans’ surprise postseason run this spring. There, above the chain hanging from Zion Williamson’s strapping neck, was that familiar rise of his bulbous cheeks. “There’s no way you’re making it!”Duke coaches saw this magnetism throughout his freshman season in Durham, North Carolina. Now, McCollum often finds Williamson himself finding a nearby seat on New Orleans' team bus. Williamson bobbed his head as an introduction video on the jumbotron blared “Public Service Announcement” from Brooklyn’s own Jay-Z .

NEW YORK — (AP) — Zion Williamson returned from a one-year absence with 25 points and nine rebounds, powering the New Orleans Pelicans to a season-opening 130-108 rout of the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. He fouled out early in the fourth quarter with four points, five rebounds and five assists, taking three shots. Brandon Ingram scored 28 points and CJ McCollum had 21 for the Pelicans, who finished strong last season and opened impressively in this one. Patty Mills had 16 points and Kyrie Irving managed 15 on 6-for-19 shooting, going 0 for 6 from 3-point range. It was a bad way to start the season for a Nets team that desperately wants to forget the last one.

Zion Williamson returned from a one-year absence with 25 points and nine rebounds, powering the New Orleans Pelicans to a season-opening 130-108 rout of the Brooklyn Nets.

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson tweaked his ankle against the Miami Heat Thursday night and will be listed as day-to-day moving forward,

MIAMI — (AP) — Zion Williamson had a simple message after New Orleans' preseason game in Miami on Wednesday night. For those who saw the Pelicans' power forward roll his left ankle in the second quarter of the game, Williamson was delivering excellent news. His left ankle simply appeared to buckle as he planted, without making contact with any other player. He played in 61 games the following year and hasn't played in a real game for the Pelicans since. Williamson finished with 11 points in 11 minutes for the Pelicans on Wednesday, and Miami won the exhibition game 120-103.

Zion Williamson had a simple message after New Orleans’ preseason game in Miami on Wednesday night.

I have assembled my must-draft players by round, tailored to 10- and 12-team leagues. In other words, I've tried to present players who will be available in each round of your draft. The fact that he’s slipping this close to the second round of fantasy drafts illustrates the incredible depth of talent in the NBA. (8) Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (Overall ADP 105.5)It remains unclear when Jackson will be back following offseason foot surgery, but his ADP continues to fall. (9) Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz (Overall ADP 103.8)(10) Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers (Overall ADP 125.2)(11) Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons (Overall ADP 139.8)(12) Kevin Huerter, Sacramento Kings (Overall ADP 143.1)(13) Bruce Brown, Denver Nuggets (Overall ADP 147.4)

Below are five players who fit that bill – some of the most polarizing players in fantasy this season. Russell Westbrook, Lakers (Overall ADP 88.6)Westbrook took a massive step back last season while being the third option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Ben Simmons, Nets (Overall ADP 83.5)Simmons sat out the first half of last season while a member of the 76ers for mental health reasons. Zion Williamson, Pelicans (Overall ADP 40.9)Williamson’s injury situation last year could be classified as a saga. Bradley Beal, Wizards (Overall ADP 33.7)After two consecutive seasons averaging over 30 points per game, Beal crashed last year.

Zion Williamson’s first scrimmage in what feels like forever apparently went fantastic on Tuesday night. Williamson opened training camp with the New Orleans Pelicans normally on Tuesday and participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage — which marked his first real scrimmage with the team since May 2020 after a string of injuries kept him sidelined. Though it’s early and just an internal scrimmage, Williamson looked back to his old self. "He dominated the scrimmage pretty much … What stood out was his force more than anything. Williamson didn’t play at all last season for the Pelicans while dealing with a lingering foot injury.

Ben Simmons, Nets (Overall ADP 84.6)Simmons is at the top of my list of fades for this season. Zion Williamson, Pelicans (Overall ADP 41.3)Let me start by making it clear: I love Zion Williamson. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder (Overall ADP 37.4)Gilgeous-Alexander has been among the riskiest players in fantasy basketball over the last few seasons. Chris Paul, Suns (Overall ADP 35.7)Late in his career, Paul has proven me wrong time and time again. Last season, Wood had the best fantasy season of his career and still finished outside the top 65.

You too, Denver’s Jamal Murray, Brooklyn’s Ben Simmons, New Orleans’ Zion Williamson, the Clippers’ John Wall and plenty of others around the NBA. “It was a hard time for me, especially going through that injury because I love basketball so much,” Wiseman said. He said he's gotten to a better mental place and is set to finally play again with the Nets. Out of Orlando’s last 198 games, Isaac has appeared in exactly two, and he isn’t yet ready for 5-on-5, either. I know I’m going to play this season.

It wasn't a surprise that Kawhi Leonard was in the Los Angeles Clippers’ facility on Monday.

The New Orleans Pelicans and guard CJ McCollum have agreed on a two-year extension worth $64 million through 2026, according to multiple reports.

The NBA season is only 27 days away, but it's never too early to prepare for your fantasy basketball drafts! A few players fit the aforementioned criteria, and I'll debate their situations below and explain why they're the hardest for me to rank heading into this, the 2022-2023 fantasy basketball season. Hopefully, this serves as a helpful reminder to fantasy managers that Simmons was indeed good, at some point, for fantasy basketball. Zion Williamson - PF, New Orleans PelicansADP: 42.1ECR: 51The last time Zion Williamson was not in street clothes was May 4, 2021, versus the Golden State Warriors. He also averaged 33.9 minutes per game in his 16th NBA season.

Of course, some players' injuries are more severe than others, and each player's individual history must be heavily considered. Zion Williamson, New Orleans PelicansWilliamson missed the entire 2021-22 season after suffering a fractured fifth metatarsal in his foot during the offseason. Even if he avoids a third significant injury, 60-65 games played seems like a best-case scenario. He has averaged 26.3 games missed per season since being drafted and that is despite playing in a career-high 78 games last year. A return sometime around Christmas seems likely and fantasy managers should anticipate more games missed when he does return.

By mid-January, LeBron James could be the NBA’s scoring king.

Zion Williamson New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) runs down court in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)The New Orleans Pelicans want Zion Williamson around for a while, but only on one big condition. The Pelicans star signed a five-year, $193 million max contract earlier this month that could be worth as much as $231 million. According to The Times-Picayune, the contract stipulates that Williamson must weigh in at below 295 pounds periodically throughout the deal. Zion Williamson's weight has been a question for PelicansAnyone who has followed Williamson's professional career so far can probably understand why the Pelicans would do this.

In Las Vegas, there’s always a big show happening.

Pelicans Williamson Basketball FILE - New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson watches a shoot-around before Game 6 of the team's NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, April 29, 2022, in New Orleans. Two people familiar with the decision say Williamson has agreed to a five-year extension worth $193 million. The Pelicans have not yet announced the extension, which under NBA rules cannot be signed until July 6. This spring, the Pelicans won two Western Conference play-in games before taking top-seeded Phoenix to six games in the first round of the 2022 playoffs. No NBA player has declined a maximum extension of their rookie NBA contract, although the awkwardness between Williamson and the Pelicans led to speculation that Williamson might be the first.

NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — Zion Williamson agreed to a five-year, $193 million extension Saturday that has the potential to be worth as much as $231 million, two people familiar with the situation said. This spring, New Orleans won two Western Conference play-in games before taking top-seeded Phoenix to six games in the first round of the 2022 playoffs. Williamson played in just 24 games as a rookie because of a preseason right knee injury (lateral meniscus). Williamson also chose to spend a significant portion of the season away from New Orleans and the Pelicans. Without Williamson, the Pelicans started 1-12 last season but steadily climbed into contention for a Western Conference playoff berth.

Zion Williamson agent Austin Brown says the star forward has agreed to a five-year extension with the New Orleans Pelicans worth $193 million.

The NBA generated more basketball related income than ever this past season, the total number coming up just short of $9 billion.

Free agency opens Thursday in the NBA.

Suns Pelicans Basketball New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) watches a shoot around before game six of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, Friday, April 29, 2022 in New Orleans. — (AP) — Zion Williamson says he'll jump at the chance to sign an extension with the New Orleans Pelicans this summer. And that is the $200 million — give or take — question that the Pelicans face this offseason, whether to offer the former No. “When it’s time to have that (conversation), we’ll have it,” Pelicans vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said. “I wouldn’t be able to sign it fast enough,” Williamson said when asked if he would sign an extension.

Zion Williamson says he’ll jump at the chance to sign an extension with the New Orleans Pelicans this summer.

Chris Paul scored 19 of his 30 points during a brilliant fourth-quarter shooting display and the Phoenix Suns beat the New Orleans Pelicans 110-99 on Sunday night in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series.

Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the depleted Los Angeles Clippers 105-101 in a play-in and earn the West’s No. 8 seed for the playoffs.

CJ McCollum scored 27 of his 32 points in the first half, Brandon Ingram shook foul trouble to add 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 on Wednesday night in a Western Conference play-in game.

Retiring Duke Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski's influence on the sport will last long past his final game.

Trail Blazers Thunder Basketball Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, right, drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) (Nate Billings)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans acquired guard CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a seven-player trade on Tuesday that comes as the Pelicans make a push to qualify for the NBA postseason. The trade marks the end of an era in Portland, where McCollum has been paired with Damian Lillard in the backcourt since 2013. This marks the second multiple-player trade the Blazers have made in advance of Thursday’s deadline. Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said Tuesday night that he could not comment on the specifics of the trade because it had not been formally approved.

Trail Blazers Thunder Basketball Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, right, drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) (Nate Billings)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired guard C.J. McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a seven-player trade, according to two people familiar with the situation. The trade marks the end of an era on Portland, where McCollum has been paired with Damian Lillard in the backcourt since 2013. Portland has reached the playoffs every season since they drafted McCollum.

The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired guard CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a seven-player trade.

NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to allow star forward Zion Williamson to continue his rehabilitation from a broken foot away from team headquarters. But imaging of his foot revealed a setback and the club said at that time that Williamson would cease practicing and focus on healing. “As you can imagine, this has been a very difficult process for me,” Williamson said in a written statement released by the club. The Pelicans play next on Thursday night when they host Golden State. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to allow forward Zion Williamson to continue his rehabilitation from a broken foot away from team headquarters.

Here are some athletes who were money in the bank for sports bettors this year: Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans and Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani.

Nuggets Pelicans Basketball New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson stands near the bench in street clothes during a timeout in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) (Gerald Herbert)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — Zion Williamson has experienced a “regression” in his surgically repaired right foot, further delaying the Pelicans star forward's long-awaited return to the court. That’s how we’re looking at this.”The Pelicans have started this season 8-20 without Williamson. Williamson played in just 24 games as a rookie because of a preseason right knee injury (lateral meniscus). He hurt his foot last summer while performing basketball drills with his stepfather, with whom he has entrusted his offseason training.

The New Orleans Pelicans say Zion Williamson has experienced a “regression” in his surgically repaired right foot.

Zion Williamson has not played this season while recovering from an offseason foot surgery, and the Pelicans are just 1-6.

Pelicans Timberwolves Basketball New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, front left, watches from the sideline in the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King) (Andy Clayton-King)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is now expected to miss at least the first week of the regular season because his recovery from surgery to repair a right foot fracture is taking longer than anticipated. The Pelicans first made public Williamson's health status on the eve of training camp last month, and Williamson said then that he planned to be ready to play in time for New Orleans' regular season opener Oct. 20 against Philadelphia. The Pelicans have seven regular season games scheduled between their opener and the end of October. At the end of last season, Williamson missed New Orleans' final six games after fracturing his left ring finger.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is expected to miss at least the first week o the regular season because his recovery from surgery to repair a right foot fracture is taking longer than anticipated.

The Western Conference has the best regular season team from last year in Utah.

He did say Monday during NBA media day that all members of the Indiana coaching staff are fully vaccinated. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File) (Ashley Landis)The latest from NBA media day on Monday (All times EDT)___4:15 p.m.Kawhi Leonard is heading into his third season with the Los Angeles Clippers just trying to get healthy. 2) don’t feel right.”___12:45 p.m.Kyrie Irving joined Brooklyn Nets media day via Zoom, repeatedly asking for privacy when pressed about his vaccination status. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day.

He did say Monday during NBA media day that all members of the Indiana coaching staff are fully vaccinated. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File) (Ashley Landis)The latest from NBA media day on Monday (All times EDT)___3:30 p.m.New Dallas coach Jason Kidd is already thinking of ways to tell Luka Doncic he has help on the roster. 2) don’t feel right.”___12:45 p.m.Kyrie Irving joined Brooklyn Nets media day via Zoom, repeatedly asking for privacy when pressed about his vaccination status. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day.

He did say Monday during NBA media day that all members of the Indiana coaching staff are fully vaccinated. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File) (Ashley Landis)The latest from NBA media day on Monday (All times EDT)___1:15 p.m.Nate McMillan has a familiar face on his coaching staff as he heads into his first full season as the Atlanta Hawks coach. Jamelle McMillan joins the Hawks staff this season after serving previously as an assistant with the New Orleans Pelicans. 2) don’t feel right.”___12:45 p.m.Kyrie Irving joined Brooklyn Nets media day via Zoom, repeatedly asking for privacy when pressed about his vaccination status.

He did say Monday during NBA media day that all members of the Indiana coaching staff are fully vaccinated. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File) (Ashley Landis)The latest from NBA media day on Monday (All times EDT)___1 p.m.NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball is pushing the NBA to allow him to switch his jersey number, but he’s not had any success. 1 is just me,” Ball said at the Hornets media day. 2) don’t feel right.”___12:45 p.m.Kyrie Irving joined Brooklyn Nets media day via Zoom, repeatedly asking for privacy when pressed about his vaccination status.

Media Day Basketball FILE - The NBA logo in shown on a basketball court in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, file photo. He did say Monday during NBA media day that all members of the Indiana coaching staff are fully vaccinated. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File) (Ashley Landis)The latest from NBA media day on Monday (All times EDT)___12:45 p.m.Kyrie Irving joined Brooklyn Nets media day via Zoom, repeatedly asking for privacy when pressed about his vaccination status. ___11:10 a.m.New Celtics coach Ime Udoka has a breakthrough case of COVID-19 and participated in the team’s media day on Monday through Zoom.

Kawhi Leonard is heading into his third season with the Los Angeles Clippers just trying to get healthy.

Teresa Weatherspoon and Vickie Johnson were the dynamic backcourt duo for the original New York Liberty team in 1997.

A person familiar with the situation says the Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to trade center Jonas Valanciunas to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for center Steven Adams, guard Eric Bledsoe and an exchange of first-round choices in this week’s draft.

The New Orleans Pelicans have hired Phoenix Suns assistant Willie Green as their new head coach.

A person familiar with the situation says the New Orleans Pelicans are negotiating with Suns assistant Willie Green about taking over as head coach but no deal is in place and discussions could extend beyond the NBA Finals.

New Orleans Pelicans basketball operations chief David Griffin says Stan Van Gundy is out as coach following just one season at the helm.

LeBron James scored 25 points before he appeared to mildly aggravate a right ankle injury,and the Los Angeles Lakers closed out the regular season with a 110-98 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

The NBA has fined New Orleans Pelicans executive David Griffin $50,000 for publicly criticizing officiating over how star Zion Williamson is handled and making comments that the league considered detrimental.

The Golden State Warriors took a big step toward locking up a postseason berth with a 123-108 victory over the desperate New Orleans Pelicans.

Zion Williamson scored 23 points in 23 minutes in his first game against Orlando, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Magic 135-100 on Thursday night to snap a four-game losing streak.

Julius Randle had 33 points and 10 assists, Derrick Rose made huge plays all over the court to spark New York’s streak-saving finish and the Knicks beat the New Orleans Pelicans 122-112 in overtime for their sixth consecutive victory.

Kevin Durant returned from a 23-game absence to spark Brooklyn’s most explosive half of the season, finishing with 17 points and perfect shooting in the Nets’ 139-111 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Terrence Ross hit two key jumpers late in overtime, Wendell Carter III scored 21 points and the Orlando Magic beat the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 115-110.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Ingram scored a season-high 36 points, Williamson had 27 points and nine rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Lakers 128-111 on Tuesday night. “We had a stretch in the second quarter where we hit a big drop, which really hurt us in this game,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. AdThe Lakers never got within single digits in the second half and trailed by as many as 30. Pelicans: Starting point guard Lonzo Ball missed his second straight game with a strained right hip flexor.

USA Basketball is a step closer to choosing the team that will play in this summer’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics, releasing the names Thursday of 57 players who are part of the pool to fill the squad. It’s also already drawing major interest from some NBA stars who have yet to taste Olympic gold. USA Basketball will pare the list to a 12-person Olympic team by early summer. Jordan, who now plays for Brooklyn, is also a newcomer to the pool even though he was on the 2016 Olympic team. “But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James walks onto the court for the first half of basketball's NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta, Sunday, March 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)ATLANTA – In the midst of a pandemic, this was assured of being an NBA All-Star Game like no other. After showing it could handle shots up close, Team LeBron headed outside in the final seconds of the half. Team LeBron: Paul had 16 assists, passing Magic Johnson's record for most career All-Star assists with 128. UP NEXTThe 71st All-Star Game will be held Feb. 20, 2022, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Dario Saric defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. 1 overall pick on Antetokounmpo — the NBA’s two-time reigning MVP from Milwaukee — in the draft for Sunday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta. Kevin Durant, who will not play in the All-Star Game because of injury but still is the captain for Team Durant, took Brooklyn teammate Kyrie Irving with his first pick. This is the fourth year of the NBA's playing captain format for the All-Star Game. It’s the All-Star Game, so there’s going to be some shenanigans out there.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) goes to the basket over Utah Jazz forward Georges Niang, left, and center Rudy Gobert, right, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, March 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)NEW ORLEANS – Zion Williamson had 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and the New Orleans Pelicans held off a late Utah charge to beat the NBA-leading Jazz 129-124 on Monday night. Williamson scored 15 points and added a pair of assists in the quarter. ... Utah had its highest scoring second quarter of the season with 41 points ... Utah shot 45.5% (46 of 101), including 17 of 43 from 3-point range. Pelicans: Hart scored 13 points to go with seven rebounds.

Phoenix’s Chris Paul is an All-Star for the 11th time, and Brooklyn’s James Harden is one for the ninth consecutive year. The rest of the reserves include Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Orlando’s Nikola Vucevic from the Eastern Conference, along with the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George, Utah teammates Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and Portland’s Damian Lillard from the Western Conference. Williamson is 20, and only Kobe Bryant, James and Magic Johnson were younger in their All-Star debuts. But this will be his first time in the All-Star Game itself. AdCOACHESUtah’s Quin Snyder will coach Team LeBron, and Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers will coach Team Durant.

Doncic scored a career-high 46 points, Kristaps Porzingis added 36 and the Mavericks overcame Williamson's career-best 36 points in a 143-130 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. The Mavericks matched their season best with a fourth consecutive victory and beat the Pelicans for the fifth straight time. The Pelicans gave up a franchise-record 25 3-pointers for the second consecutive game. Mavericks: Dallas finished above 50% shooting for the third consecutive game while improving to 7-0 when scoring at least 120 points. AdMORE HISTORY FOR DONCICDoncic tied a franchise record shared by Mark Aguirre (1983-84) and Dirk Nowitzki (2005-06) with his 13th consecutive game of at least 25 points.

Chicago Bulls' Zach LaVine dunks past New Orleans Pelicans' Lonzo Ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Chicago. LaVine scored a season-high 46 points, hitting nine of Chicago's franchise-record 25 3-pointers, and the Bulls cooled off the New Orleans Pelicans with a 129-116 victory Wednesday. LaVine and White became the first duo in NBA history to make at least eight 3s apiece in the same game, according to STATS. “We (were) due for a good team shooting night,” White said. Zion Williamson had 29 points for New Orleans, and Brandon Ingram finished with 21 points on 6-for-19 shooting.