Pelicans' Kira Lewis Jr. out for season with torn ACL

New Orleans Pelicans guard Kira Lewis Jr. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Pelicans PG Kira Lewis Jr. out for season with torn ACL, MCL sprain

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 12/9/21

New Orleans Pelicans 2020 lottery selection Kira Lewis Jr.'s sophomore season has come to a premature close.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Kira Lewis Jr. has suffered a season-ending torn ACL and a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 9, 2021

Last year's 13th overall pick out of the University of Alabama suffered the injury during the Pelicans' game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Through 24 games off the bench this season, Lewis Jr. had been averaging 5.9 points, 2.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 14.2 minutes per contest, while posting a .404/.224/.833 shooting line.

As a rookie, the 20-year-old appeared in 54 contests off the New Orleans bench, averaging 6.4 points, 2.3 assists, 1.3 rebounds and 16.7 minutes while registering a .386/.333/.843 shooting line.

The Pelicans are still without former No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, who is recovering from offseason foot surgery. New Orleans currently has the worst record in the Western Conference at 7-20.

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