Pelicans star Zion Williamson, who left a preseason game early last week with left ankle soreness and subsequently missed the finale, was a full participant in practice on Monday, per head coach Willie Green (Twitter link via ESPN’s Andrew Lopez). Green sounded non-committal about Williamson’s status for Wednesday’s regular season opener, but Williamson put speculation to rest by stating, “I’m playing Wednesday,” as Lopez tweets.
The 22-year-old former No. 1 overall pick looks to be in great shape for 2022/23 after missing all of last season with a broken foot, so hopefully the ankle issue is as minor as it seems.
Here are some more injury notes from around the NBA:
- Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said the team is hoping to get some 5-on-5 work in for Jaren Jackson Jr. “in the next couple of weeks,” tweets Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Jackson underwent foot surgery at the end of June and will miss the start of the regular season. Jenkins also said second-year wing Ziaire Williams missed practice on Monday with a non-COVID illness in addition to knee soreness, and his status for the season opener is up in the air (Twitter link via Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com).
- Raptors big man Chris Boucher, who’s dealing with a hamstring injury, was able to practice today and the team is hopeful he’ll be ready for the opener on Wednesday, per head coach Nick Nurse (Twitter link courtesy of Sportsnet’s Michael Grange). Eric Koreen of The Athletic relays (via Twitter) that free agent addition Otto Porter (hamstring) did not participate in practice and Koreen expects him “to be out for a little bit.”
- According to Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune (Twitter link), Jazz shooting guard Malik Beasley recently said his sprained left ankle feels “completely healed” he and expects to play in Wednesday’s season opener. Beasley was acquired from Minnesota this offseason in the Rudy Gobert deal.
- Marvin Bagley III admits “it was a little scary” when he suffered a sprained MCL and bone bruise in his right knee during preseason last week, writes Mike Curtis of The Detroit News (subscription required). “When I did it, all types of stuff was running through my mind,” Bagley said. “It was something I couldn’t have really prevented. It happened so fast. That feeling, I never felt it before. Getting up and not being able to put pressure on it, it was a little scary for me. God had his hands on me; had His arms around me, so that’s all I can ask for.” The big man added that he’s not going to rush the rehabilitation process and will only suit up for the Pistons when he’s ready, but he’s feeling progressively better every day.
Which frontcourt duo would you rather have coming off your bench this season, Otto Porter/Chris Boucher (Tor), Marvin Bagley/Nerlens Noel (Det), Ziaire Williams/Brandon Clarke (Mem), Kevin Love/Robin Lopez (Cle), Trey Lyles/Richaun Holmes (Sac) or Kyle Anderson/Naz Reid (2/3 of the New Jersey Timberwolves)? Rank a top3 if possible…
1.) Kyle anderson/naz reid
2.) ziare/clarke
3.) porter/boucher
Slo Mo & Nasty Naz, a couple of NJ devils, I dig. Feels like Jersey been pumping out way more talent than NYC lately. Esp with Seton Hall, Rutgers & St. Peter’s being more successful than St. John’s & the city schools recently. Minnesota probably got the best frontcourt in the league along w/ Denver/Philly & the Garden State is responsible for most of it
Im a cavs fan but Naz brings that much needed energy iff the bench and ky anderson is a great passer and defender and shooter when you need him to be. The next 2 options are based off production only. I feel like lopez is a bit of a lockerroom presence at this point and love is right behind him (last season was like blake griffins “bounce back” season).
1. Zaire/Clarke because I’m a Clarke fan.
They are the only 2 guaranteed quality minutes. I mean where both guys will play half the game or more.
Rest are a crapshoot. Love is balling but was starting to fall off late last year, RoLo shouldn’t play too much hopefully.
2. I’d have 2 as Wolves combo. Slo Mo is great but I don’t like his fit, Rudy can’t shoot so it’s weird with Slo Mo and Minny loves Yolo ball. Yolo ball is anti Slo Mo but wise decisions off turnovers is good for Slo Mo. Naz might be ready. He’s gonna have to shoot well from 3 to get time though.
3.
Love and Rolo
Bags and Noel are injured and or kinda suck. Rather Duren get all that playing time.
True Lyles and Holmes are interesting. Sac is deep and weird in there construction and Lyles who got a whole lot better while still deciding not to workout, is not gonna be a Mike Brown guy. Browns loves team defense and hustle to help and recover. I’m a Holmes fan and hope the injuries are behind him and he bounces back. I still don’t belive the organization has his back and he’s getting traded at some point.
Williams/Clark.
Lopez/Love will light the leauge up this year.