Zion Williamson sits, Brandon Ingram steps up

Zion Williamson entered the 2024-25 NBA regular season with a career scoring average of 24.7 points per appearance, but with 206 missed games to his name. He added a 207th on Wednesday night as the 24-year-old Duke basketball one-and-done and 2019 No. 1 draft pick sat out the New Orleans Pelicans’ season-opening 123-111 win over the visiting Chicago Bulls.

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Pelicans head coach Willie Green told the media that Williamson, who has battled countless injuries and setbacks since his memorable, thrilling collegiate stint in Durham, “just has some sort of virus” and has been “sick for the last few days.” had been.

Maybe he’ll be back at full strength in time for the Pelicans’ road game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday at 10 p.m. ET.

As for the other NBA Blue Devil from New Orleans, Brandon Ingram, the 2016-17 undefeated forward and No. 2 overall pick, shined with a game-high 33 points while shooting 13 of 23 from the field, 3 – for 5 from the city center and 4 for 4 at the stop. The 27-year-old from Kinston, N.C., added seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in his 31 minutes as a starter.

The Bulls employ a 2020-21 Duke basketball talent, one-time guard DJ Steward. However, the 23-year-old Chicago native is on a two-way contract and is not currently on the regular season roster.

RELATED: List of former Duke players currently playing in the NBA

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