New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks for an opening past Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) and guard Dru Smith (12) during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Pelicans’ Zion Williamson ruled out against the Bulls because of an illness

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson has been scratched from the lineup for the club’s regular season opener against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.

Pelicans coach Willie Green said Williamson was ill and not in attendance.

However, Green said the club is hopeful Williamson, who averaged 22.9 points per game last season, will be able to rejoin the team when the Pelicans begin a four-game West Coast trip in Portland on Friday.

The 6-foot-6 Williamson, the first overall selection out of Duke in the 2019 NBA Draft, played in a career-high 70 games last season. But his absence on Wednesday night became his 207th missed regular season game in his injury-plagued pro career.

In the 184 NBA games he has played, Williamson has averaged 24.7 points per game.

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