Unfortunately for Pelicans rookie E.J. Liddell, his initial NBA season will have to wait until next year. During the third quarter of the New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks Summer League game Monday night, Liddell came out the game with a knee injury — an ailment that saw him miss the remainder of the third and fourth quarters.
After suffering an injury to his right knee during the first quarter (and then returning after being checked out by team doctors), former Buckeye and current New Orleans Pelicans rookie EJ Liddell suffered another knee injury during the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/DIESBfvMwR
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) July 11, 2022
The 21-year-old was helped off the court during the second quarter with discomfort in his right knee before returning back to the court after halftime after he didn’t appear to be suffering from pain.
When reports of the MRI came out Tuesday, the Pelicans announced on their Twitter account that their rookie forward has been diagnosed with a torn ACL.
Injury Update: E.J. Liddell will be out indefinitely after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee.
An MRI done last night confirmed the injury, which occurred during the third quarter of yesterday’s Summer League game against the Atlanta Hawks. pic.twitter.com/fSU4Cxqj8v
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 12, 2022
“It’s tough,” Collins said. “We mentioned it the other day with Dyson (Daniels). Injuries are part of the game. You don’t want to see anyone get injured out there.”
Many commenters on social media are wishing Liddell a speedy recovery and call it a tough break for the young hooper. One fan noted that the medical staff should’ve sat him down after he initially went down.
Man. That’s brutal for EJ Liddell. That sucks
— 🦌 (@SnellSZN) July 12, 2022
God that sucks so bad. I feel awful for him https://t.co/XlowDofQz6
— Scarlet & Game (@ScarletAndGame) July 12, 2022
I can’t tell you how genuinely sad it makes me to see someone as positive as EJ Liddell is to get an injury this young into his NBA career. Staff should have sat him after he initially went down.
— Pels Press (@PelsPress) July 12, 2022
Hate this for E.J., someone who brings so much fun and joy to everything he does. https://t.co/qSklZPO1pe
— Aaron Ferguson (@Sports_Aaron) July 12, 2022
Damn EJ Liddell. That one is going to be tough to come back from. Hurt before his career ever started
— Trysta Krick🐺 (@Trysta_Krick) July 12, 2022
I can’t tell you how genuinely sad it makes me to see someone as positive as EJ Liddell is to get an injury this young into his NBA career. Staff should have sat him after he initially went down.
— Pels Press (@PelsPress) July 12, 2022
Liddell was drafted out of Ohio State, averaging 19.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks over 33.2 minutes per game during his senior season. At one point, he was projected as a first-round talent but ended up dropping down to the second round.
He currently has not signed a contract and the team has yet to set a roster for their season opener.
Dyson Daniels, who is the Pels’ first-round pick in 2022, sprained his right ankle on Saturday. It’s unclear when he will return.
[Pelicans]
