Zion Williamson has missed the last seven New Orleans Pelicans games with a strained left hamstring. Unfortunately for the injured Pelicans, their star power forward likely won’t be back anytime soon.
Williamson, 24, underwent several hamstring treatments but has not recovered enough to be ready to play. The Pelicans expected him to miss four to six weeks when he suffered the injury on Nov. 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
After that timeline, Williamson could be sidelined until mid-December. However, it is possible that he will be sidelined for longer depending on how his oft-injured hamstring reacts.
Williamson insists his mobility is good at the moment, but not where it should be.
“A lot if you ask me,” when NOLA.com’s Christian Clark asked him what he can do. “But I have to follow the protocol and the instructions. Stay in good spirits. The rehab is going great. I’m on the right track. That’s all I can do now.”
Williamson missed the final 53 games of the 2022-23 season with a right knee sprain. He played in a career-high 70 games last season, but missed four of New Orleans’ playoff games with an injured left thigh.
Williamson has played in just six of the Pelicans’ 16 games this season. He averaged 22.7 points, eight rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 blocks, the best totals of his career — albeit in limited action.
For Williamson, his weight is a frequent problem. However, he appeared to be in great shape during the offseason and reportedly lost more than 25 pounds. Team officials were pleased with Williamson’s fitness and believed he was in the best shape of his six-year career, according to Charania.
The Pelicans are off to a 4-12 start, which is second to last in the Western Conference standings. But injuries have been a major obstacle for a team trying to get back to the playoffs.
New Orleans began the season with Trey Murphy III missing time with a strained right hamstring. So far, he has appeared in only four matches. In the team’s season opener, Dejounte Murray broke his left hand.
In early November, Herbert Jones suffered a right shoulder strain and a rotator cuff tear that should keep him out for two to four weeks. CJ McCollum also suffered a right adductor strain that should sideline him for two to three weeks.
The Pelicans face the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Cup on Friday. New Orleans could be eliminated from the tournament in the season with a loss and a win for the Dallas Mavericks over the Denver Nuggets.