Zion Williamson Has Chance to Return from Hamstring Injury This Week, Per Pelicans HC
January 6, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has a chance to return to action this week after having been sidelined by a hamstring injury for two months, head coach Willie Green said on Monday.
Will Guillory @WillGuilloryI know no one wants to hear this, but everyone I've talked to says Zion has looked really good during the rehab process. <br><br>None of it matters until he's back on the court, but it's gonna be fascinating to see what it looks like with him out there next to Dejounte and this version…
Here's a look at New Orleans' upcoming schedule:
- Home game vs. Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday
- Home game vs. Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday
- Road game at Philadelphia 76ers on Friday
- Road game at Boston Celtics on Sunday
Williamson has averaged 22.7 points on 45.2 percent shooting, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists over 31.0 minutes per game. He has played only six games and none since Nov. 6 due to a left hamstring strain.
The Pelicans previously provided a positive and encouraging update on Dec. 24: "Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain) has begun the return to play conditioning phase of his rehabilitation program and is expected to return to full practice next week. He will be week-to-week going forward."
Williamson is one of the NBA's most talented and electric players at his best. Unfortunately, injuries have sidelined him for large swaths of time since his 2019-20 rookie year.
A torn meniscus held him to 24 games in 2019-20. He missed all of 2021-22 with a Jones fracture in his right foot. A right hamstring strain limited Williamson to 29 games in 2022-23.
When healthy, though, Williamson is sensational. He's averaged 24.6 points on 58.7 percent shooting, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game over 190 contests.
Hopefully Williamson returns to the court and finally enjoys an unencumbered string of good health. And the same goes for many of the Pels, who have been snakebit by injuries this year including ones to Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins.
Ingram (left ankle sprain) remains out.
