The New Orleans Pelicans anticipate that rookie Zion Williamson will make his regular-season debut Jan. 22 against the San Antonio Spurs.

Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, has missed the entire season thus far while recovering from October knee surgery. David Griffin, the Pelicans' executive vice president of basketball operations, told reporters Wednesday that the team wants Williamson to participate in two more practices before playing in a game.

Williamson, 19, is slated to join the Pelicans in practices Friday and Sunday, one day before New Orleans travels for a game Monday at Memphis.

According to Griffin, Williamson would then make his debut at home against San Antonio.

Griffin also told reporters that the Pelicans and Williamson never considered the possibility that the rookie forward would be sidelined for the entire season.