Kofi Inkoom
Pelicans star, Zion Williamson, spoke to reporters on Tuesday and said there’s a “realistic” chance he could make a return from his hamstring injury during the playoffs, as reported by Andrew Lopez of ESPN.
The injury occurred in the fourth quarter of the New Orleans Pelicans’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Play-In game last Tuesday.
Williamson noted that the extent of the injury isn’t as severe as the one he suffered last year. Despite his absence in Game 1 against the top-seeded OKC Thunder, the Pelicans managed to keep it close, ultimately losing 94-92.
The timing of Zion Williamson’s return depends on the series’ outcome and medical clearance. Initially, the Pelicans aimed for a two-week absence, eyeing a possible return for Game 5 against the Thunder.
However, this timeline appears ambitious given the scheduling constraints. If the Pelicans progress beyond the first round, Williamson would have a more extended recovery period, minimizing the risk of re-injury.
Until then, the team must devise strategies to compete with the Thunder in his absence.