NBA News Roundup, Monday, Oct 21: Zion Williamson undergoes surgery, Doc Rivers says Los Angeles is 'Lakers Town' and more

#2 Zion Williamson undergoes knee surgery

The Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson during the opening months of the new season

Following an excellent year at Duke, Zion Williamson is widely regarded as the best teenager to enter the NBA since LeBron James back in 2003. However, the New Orleans Pelicans revealed last week that Williamson would miss the start of the season, and the team announced earlier today that the 19-year-old has now undergone surgery:

Zion Williamson underwent successful arthroscopic surgery today to address a torn right lateral meniscus. The timetable for his full return to play is estimated at six to eight weeks.

The injury means that Williamson is set to miss at least the first 20 games of the new season, and he could miss closer to 30 if he sits out for the full eight weeks. Over four preseason games, Williamson averaged 23.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, and his absence will be a huge blow for a New Orleans team that is hoping to contend for a playoff spot.