| Unfortunately for Pelicans fans, Thursday might've felt familiar. The team's franchise player, Zion Williamson, is injured, and it's going to take longer for him to get back on the court than the team initially said. We did this awkward, frustrating dance during Williamson's rookie season, when he hurt his right knee in the preseason and was on the shelf for 13 weeks. Now, Williamson has fractured his right foot, and team boss David Griffin said he will miss at least the first week of the regular season. “No fixed timeline right now other than 2 to 2½ weeks from now, he’ll get more imaging," Griffin said. Only 17 days earlier, Griffin said Williamson's "timeline should get him back on the court in time for regular season." Apparently, Griffin meant Williamson will be available at some point during the regular season — not the *start* of the regular season. It was another example of confusing, misleading messaging from Griffin. The Pelicans' regular-season opener is Wednesday. They face the Philadelphia 76ers. You can support our coverage by going here. No matter how long Williamson is out — be it two weeks or two months — we will be bringing the goods. That I can promise you. -- Christian | 