METAIRIE, La. — Zion Williamson opened with a joke — about himself.
A monthslong recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery is finally behind the New Orleans Pelicans rookie and top overall draft choice. And when Williamson discussed the long wait for his highly anticipated NBA regular-season debut on Wednesday night against San Antonio, he poked fun at himself for apparently dozing off while sitting on the bench during a couple of recent games.
"If ya'll saw me meditating on the sidelines, it's been very difficult," Williamson said with a grin. "But it's finally here. I finally get to go back out there.