NBA: Pelicans fear for newcomer Okafor

Jahlil Okafor was injured at the preseason opening against the Chicago Bulls. The Center of the New Orleans Pelicans had to leave the court prematurely due to an ankle injury.

Later, Okafor was seen leaving the arena on crutches. His right ankle was thickly bandaged and cooled with ice.

As Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN subsequently reported, the 22-year-old will have to undergo an MRI. A first X-ray examination did not yield any findings.

Okafor made his debut for the Pelicans 17 minutes long and collected 8 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. After unfortunate years in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, the 3rd Pick of Draft 2015 moved to New Orleans last summer.

After his first season in the NBA, Okafor was elected to the All-Rookie team, but then he didn’t play much of a role in the Sixers. In his three years in the NBA, Okafor averaged 12.9 points and 5.3 rebound.