Zion Williamson may finally play an NBA game in front of a sold-out crowd at MSG.
The oft-injured, high-flying Pelicans forward is doubtful for Tuesday’s game against the Knicks because of a contusion in his left foot, but the illness did not keep him from playing Sunday against the Bulls.
Assuming Williamson is available, Tuesday will be his second NBA game at MSG, but his first since April 2021.
That game was held in front of limited fans during the pandemic season. Williamson played at MSG during his time at Duke.
“We’ll see,” said Josh Hart, Williamson’s teammate from New Orleans, who played 42 minutes in Monday’s win over the Pistons. “We played him on the second night of a back-to-back earlier this year and we’re doing it again. Let’s see how it goes.”
Williamson, who the Knicks spent the entire season trying to draft in 2019, is averaging 22.4 points on 58 percent shooting this season.
The Knicks lost in New Orleans in October. The Pelicans (34-24) will be without Brooklyn native Jose Alvarado, who was suspended for last week’s scuffle with the Heat.
The Pistons were fooled by the referees in a game that wasn’t supposed to be played in New York.
Monday’s 113-111 victory — which ended in a no-call in favor of the Knicks — was originally scheduled for Detroit but was moved to MSG due to issues related to the in-season tournament.
Basically, the Knicks were given too many road games as they advanced in the tournament during the season. And the league punished the Pistons, robbing them of one of their games at Little Caesars Arena. This is the pitfall of being the worst team in the league.
Coach Tom Thibodeau reiterated that high-profile injured players need to hit “markers” to recover.
On Monday, Thibodeau was asked to define those “markers.”
“It’s strength, range of motion, conditioning,” the coach said. “Once the doctor says it’s good, we’ll add the contacts. Usually he’ll go 1-on-1, 2-on-2, 3-on-3. Then when it’s 5-on-5, he’s ready to go.”
Julius Randle (dislocated shoulder), OG Anunoby (elbow surgery), and Mitchell Robinson (ankle surgery) are all still suspected of contact.
“They have these metrics that they have to meet, and then they have to get a physical exam with a doctor. Once that happens, that’s really the next step for them,” Thibodeau said. Told.
The Knicks have communicated their expectation that at least Anunoby and Randle will return for the regular season.
It’s almost certain that two of the Knicks’ potential first-round picks won’t make it this year.
One of them is top-18 protected by the Pistons and the other is top-12 protected by the Wizards. These two teams are the worst teams in the league.
Both picks will be protected next year. If they don’t tell him within a few years, he will end up being a second-round pick.
The Knicks will likely acquire the Mavericks’ pick (protected top 10) along with their own first-round pick.
