Pelicans All-Star forward Zion Williamson is nowhere near being ready to return to the hardwood for New Orleans, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN. The 6’6″ superstar, who sustained a left hamstring strain two weeks ago, has undergone “multiple treatments” on the affected hamstring, Charania adds.
Sources tell ESPN that the Pelicans were initially bracing for Williamson to miss at least four to six weeks as a result of the injury. However, it’s possible his absence will extend beyond that window, according to Charania, who notes that the former No. 1 overall pick has suffered multiple hamstring strains since entering the league. In other words, the team will be cautious with his recovery timeline.
In his six healthy contests for New Orleans, Williamson averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He posted a shooting line of .452/.333/.667 during those bouts.
Injuries and fitness have been a major impediment to Williamson’s pro career. Since being selected with the No. 1 pick out of Duke in 2019, Williamson has already missed 48 or more games in three separate seasons due to various maladies. Charania notes that the forward has only been available for 190 of over 400 potential regular season contests.
The Pelicans have fallen on hard times with a rash of long-term injuries beyond just Williams. Aside from Williamson, forward/center Herbert Jones, and guards Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Hawkins have all missed extended time this year. The team is currently 4-12 in the competitive Western Conference.
New Orleans did get some good news Friday, at least. Will Guillory of The Athletic reports (via Twitter) that Hawkins and Brandon Ingram, who missed Wednesday’s game with a bilateral ankle sprain, will suit up for the Pelicans for their NBA Cup tilt against the Warriors.
No way. Zion still injured – I can’t believe it.
If no Zion until January at the earliest, the Pels’ already slim playoff odds go to nil.
By January, even without Zion, if all injured players return, the Pels could have a respectable roster. But it’ll be too little, too late in the Western Conference.
If you’re the Pels, do you bring Zion back this season if you’re out of playoff contention?
You have to bring him back regardless, holding him back would disappoint fans (aka the ppl giving you money) and he simply has to play, you cant keep “saving” him for next season.
Of course not. Maybe by the second round of the playoffs if they make it that far at best.
Anyone else got deja vu? Yea? All of us? lol See you on the injury list in 2026 Zion
We need to stop calling him a superstar. I don’t care how talented you are, if you don’t play you aren’t in that category.
The best ability is availability.
From everything I’ve ever heard he is a great guy. What a shame.
How can a player who has missed almost 50% of his team’s games over 5 seasons be regarded as a “superstar”?
Most overhyped player of this generation. Even when healthy he is a good player – not a great one and absolutely not a superstar.
I am assuming you didnt watch him when healthy lol
He used to deliver as a superstar when he played… that is until last year he was very below average and this year as well, he just doesn’t seem to be the player he was to be at the beginning of his career.
Hype sells…
There are a lot of people trying to ride on his hype train to make money…
Having the “superstar” tag will get picked up on search engines…
His absence will extend all the way up to his contract year