New Orleans Pelicans’ superstar, Zion Williamson, is still recovering from a hamstring injury, and the timeline for his return to the court remains uncertain. David Griffin, the Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations, issued a statement on Thursday saying that Williamson would continue with his rehabilitation and conditioning regimen.
The team will continue to monitor his progress, and updates will be provided as warranted. The announcement, or lack thereof, won’t bring much hope to Pelicans fans since Williamson won’t play on Friday’s game against the New York Knicks, and he is likely to miss Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Pelicans have already secured a play-in berth, so the question is whether Williamson will return for that tournament or during the playoffs, should the Pelicans advance.
Williamson’s injury concerns have become a significant issue for the Pelicans. In past seasons, he has played 61 games in the 2020-21 season, missed the entire 2021-22 campaign with a foot injury, and played only 29 games this 2022-23 season. The phrase “availability is the best ability” is often used in sports, particularly for franchise superstars, and Williamson’s lack of availability in his career is worrisome.
you could have just said there is no update
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) April 6, 2023
Williamson has been an absolute force when healthy, averaging 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, with an incredible 60.5 percent shooting from the field. However, Williamson hasn’t played since January 2, when he suffered a right hamstring injury, which he re-aggravated in February. He has been undergoing rehabilitation since then.
This is frustrating.
— DeeJay Johnson (@Go_DeeJay21) April 6, 2023
On Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that Williamson had participated in “low-intensity, three-on-three” workouts over the weekend. However, he did not practice with the team on Monday. Shams also stated that the Pelicans aimed to get Williamson back in game shape but wouldn’t rush his return.
Dude just be saying a whole lot of nothing
— Karlan225 (@Karlan225) April 6, 2023
Williamson’s return to the court remains uncertain as he continues to recover from his hamstring injury. While he has been a force when healthy, his lack of availability is a cause for concern. The Pelicans will likely continue to monitor his progress closely and make updates as warranted, with the hope of having him back in time for the playoffs if they advance.
The Pelicans’ Playoff Picture: Can Zion’s Return Propel Them to Postseason Success?
The Pelicans are currently tied with the Lakers at the 7th and 8th positions, thanks to their 41-39 record and Brandon Ingram’s remarkable performance in March, as well as their 8-2 run in the last 10 games.
With only two games left, they cannot finish worse than the 9th position, ensuring a place in the Play-in tournament. The team’s fate in the playoffs will depend on how well they perform in the tournament, which remains to be seen.
If they do make it to the playoffs, Zion Williamson may return in time for the first round. Additionally, if they manage to win their remaining two games of the regular season, they can secure the last two playoff spots that are currently held by the Warriors and Clippers. However, it all remains to be seen whether the Pelicans will make the most of this opportunity or not.
