Pelicans All-Star ahead Zion Williamson is nowhere close to being able to return to the hardwood for New Orleans, sources inform Shams Charania of ESPN. The 6-foot-6 celebrity suffered a left hamstring strain two weeks in the past.
Sources inform Charania that the Pelicans had been initially bracing for Williamson to overlook at the very least 4 to 6 weeks because of the harm. Nevertheless, it’s attainable that his absence will prolong past that window, in keeping with Charania, who notes that the previous No. 1 general choose has suffered a number of hamstring strains since coming into the league. In different phrases, the crew will likely be cautious together with his timeline.
In his six wholesome contests for New Orleans, Williamson averaged 22.7 factors, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists per recreation. He posted a capturing line of .452/.333/.667 throughout these bouts.
Accidents and health have been a significant obstacle to Williamson’s professional profession. Since being chosen with the No. 1 select of Duke in 2019, Williamson has already missed 48 or extra video games in three separate seasons on account of varied maladies. Charania notes that the ahead has solely been obtainable for 210 of his 400 potential regular-season contests.
The Pelicans have fallen on exhausting occasions with a rash of long-term accidents past simply Williams. Apart from Williamson, ahead/heart Herbert Jones, and guards Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins have all missed prolonged time this yr. The crew is at present 4-12 within the aggressive Western Convention.
New Orleans did get some excellent news Friday, at the very least. Will Guillory of The Athletic studies that Hawkins and Brandon Ingram, who missed Wednesday’s recreation with a bilateral ankle sprain, will swimsuit up for the Pelicans for his or her NBA Cup tilt towards the Warriors.