As winners of 8 in their last 10 games, the New Orleans Pelicans are hanging on to their playoff hopes with just a few games remaining this season. Over the past few weeks, big performances from Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones have essentially saved the Pels from going under, and now they are looking ahead to the potential return of Zion Williamson.
Amid much speculation, the Pelicans finally released the latest update on Z this week, and it left many fans scratching their heads about what it could possibly mean.
“After further evaluation, it has been determined that Zion Williamson will continue his rehabilitation and conditioning regimen. We will continue to monitor his progression, and updates will be provided as warranted.”
David Griffin announced the following update on Zion Williamson:
“After further evaluation, it has been determined that Zion Williamson will continue his rehabilitation and conditioning regimen.
We will continue to monitor his progression, and updates will be provided as… pic.twitter.com/HgtClM5gmS
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 6, 2023
Last we heard, Williamson was scheduled to be out for at least the remainder of the regular season, but there was a chance he could return in time for a play-in game or even before.
Unfortunately for the Pelicans, however, Williamson will likely not return for the play-n at all and would only be re-activated in an actual playoff scenario.
This is a lot of words that can be summed up as don't expect Zion Williamson to be on the floor for the play-in game(s). https://t.co/0xUEKMGvDc
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 6, 2023
The Pels have always been cautious with Zion, dating all the way back to his Rookie season fresh out of the draft. Sadly, the precautions haven’t worked well, considering Williamson has only played 114 games in four seasons.
This year was looking promising for Zion and his health, and he had his team at the top of the standings before he was once again sidelined with injury. After a free-fall down the standings, New Orleans is now fighting to stay alive with very cautious optimism that No. 1 will return if they somehow make the playoffs.
Will Zion Even Get Healthy?
The question with Z has never been about talent. Even through his short stint in the league so far, we know that he can play this game at the highest level. But he’ll need to stay on the court in order to have true success in this league, and there are some doubts that will happen.
“I don’t think Zion Williamson is going to play 70+ games,” said former NBA player Eddie Johnson. “I’ve said this even before he got drafted. We’ve never seen a body this big, this explosive play this game. He puts so much torque on his body. His body is not built to play this game. It’s not. But he is very good at this game. And that’s why he plays it. But he’s going to pay a price, man.”
Only time will tell how things play out for Zion this season and beyond, but it’s been the same story with him for a few years now, and fans are eager to see something more.
Unless the Pelicans can show something special here in the upcoming playoffs (assuming they even make it), fans are going to quickly lose faith in what they can do.
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