Pelicans' Williamson to miss at least six-to-eight weeks

The wait for Zion must march on.

That's because No. 1 overall draft pick and possible franchise-altering forward Zion Williamson will miss at least the first to six-to-eight weeks of the season after arthroscopic surgery to address a torn right lateral meniscus, the New Orleans Pelicans announced in a news release.

Williamson was the biggest part of the Pelicans' summer makeover, which involved trading big man Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers. Williamson, point guard Lonzo Ball and small forward Brandon Ingram are among the reasons the Pelicans have generated plenty of buzz under first-year chief of basketball operations David Griffin.

Williamson stood out in the preseason, willing his way to the basket for powerful dunks and other baskets in traffic, often overpowering opponents.

If the Pelicans' timeline is accurate, Williamson will miss at least the first 20 games and perhaps closer to 30. A return in six weeks will mean he's back on the court in the first week of December.

The revamped Pelicans open the season Tuesday on the road against the defending champion Toronto Raptors.