The last few weeks have been a struggle for the New Orleans Pelicans. They have tumbled down the standings without All-Star Zion Williamson being in the lineup. Currently, they sit in the 10th spot in the Western Conference in a three-way tie with the Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder for the last spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Without Williamson in the lineup, the team’s performance has plummeted. They have dealt with other players being in and out of the lineup, but his absence has been the real blow.
Williamson last played on January 2nd and has been sidelined since because of a hamstring strain. He was close to returning in mid-February but suffered a setback as he re-aggravated the injury. A positive update was provided heading into March, but it does not sound like Williamson is close to getting back on the court.
During a recent episode of the Hoop Collective podcast, Brian Windhorst of ESPN provided a troubling update on the former No. 1 overall pick. Because he already suffered one setback, extra caution is now being exhibited by the team.
“He’s not close, I don’t think,” Windhorst said. “… I think his setback was significant, and so now you’re worried about a worse setback, so you’re going to be doubly cautious.”
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Marc J. Spears was on the podcast with him and questioned whether or not we would see Williamson back on the court this season with the Pelicans. Windhorst wouldn’t go that far when offering his update, but this certainly isn’t good news for New Orleans.
With Williamson in the lineup, the Pelicans are 17-12 on the season. Without him, they are 14-22. They were 23-14 and near the top of the Western Conference when he suffered the injury and now sit with a record of 31-34.
On the season, he is averaging 26 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Williamson is shooting 60.8 percent from the field overall, 36.8 percent from 3-point range and 71.4 percent from the foul line.
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If he is able to return to the court in the next 4.5 weeks before the regular season ends, the Pelicans will be a very dangerous team to play against should they make the postseason. They showed what they were capable of last season, winning the Play-In Tournament and giving the Phoenix Suns all they could handle in six games during their first-round matchup.
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