New Orleans Pelicans rookie forward sensation Zion Williamson will be sidelined for up to two months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday just as a new National Basketball Association season is about to begin.

The Pelicans play in the league's opening game at the defending champion Toronto Raptors on Tuesday (Wednesday China time), when Williamson's debut was expected to be the main attraction.

Instead, it's being put on hold after a smashing preseason run in which Williamson averaged 23.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists a game in four appearances for New Orleans.

The Pelicans said Williamson, the top pick in the 2019 entry draft, was diagnosed with a torn meniscus and is not expected to return for six to eight weeks.

Williamson, 19, had been on fire in the NBA preseason but underwent tests on the right knee on Friday when soreness persisted and doctors recommended surgery to fix the problem.

It's the same knee that Williamson — who has excited NBA fans like no rookie since LeBron James — famously sprained in college when his Nike shoe exploded during a game.

"We have a deep team," guard JJ Redick said. "We'll hold it down as best as we can without him. Obviously we need him back. Hopefully he takes his time and recovers fully."

Said point guard Lonzo Ball: "We just have to hold the fort down until he gets back. ... He's still on the team; it's not like he's missing the whole season. He's going to be out a couple games, but he'll be back strong."

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters last Friday that Williamson is "not dead, guys", and rather is in good spirits after apparently suffering the injury against San Antonio last Sunday.

In the Vegas Summer League, Williamson played only nine minutes before he banged left knees in a collision and was benched for the remainder of the summer league NBA games.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound former Duke star turned pro after one season in college, during which he averaged 22.6 points and was voted to the Atlantic Coast Conference's All-Defensive Team. He also averaged 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocked shots.

He was projected to start immediately at forward for New Orleans, alongside guards Ball and Jrue Holiday, forward Brandon Ingram and center Derrick Favors.

While it remains to be seen how coach Gentry will change his rotation in Williamson's absence, it appears 6-foot-9, 235-pound forward Nicolo Melli of Italy could be in line for more playing time.

Melli, who was acquired in the offseason, averaged 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds this season.

Williamson is the new face of the Pelicans after disgruntled All-Star Anthony Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason.

Based on the schedule laid out by the team, Williamson will likely make his NBA debut in mid-December or close to the start of 2020.

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