Zion Williamson, the star forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the New Orleans Pelicans, is set to make his long-awaited return to the court against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After missing two months due to a left hamstring strain, Williamson has officially been declared available for the game, offering hope to the struggling 7-29 Pelicans.
Williamson returning after missing two months
Williamson, who had been listed as questionable earlier in the week, returned to full practice last week, and his status was upgraded on Tuesday afternoon. The 23-year-old has not played since November 6, when the Pelicans suffered a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. His absence has been felt, as the team has struggled in his absence, dropping 27 consecutive games.
Injury troubles persist
Injuries have been a recurring theme throughout Williamson's career. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick has been sidelined for significant periods, limiting his appearances to just 190 games over the past 5½ seasons. Despite his injury challenges, Williamson has averaged 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in his career, showcasing his potential when healthy.
One of the major issues has been persistent hamstring problems. Last season, a hamstring strain forced him to miss the final 45 games, even though he had been selected as an All-Star for the second time. While Williamson played a career-high 70 games in 2022-23, he exited a play-in game early due to another hamstring injury, which kept him out of the Pelicans' first-round playoff loss.
What’s next for Zion and the Pelicans?
The Pelicans will be hoping that Williamson's return can help turn their season around, especially as they continue to struggle in his absence. With the team’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Zion’s presence on the floor will be crucial for both his individual growth and the team's success.
As Williamson re-enters the lineup, Pelicans fans are eager to see if he can stay healthy and return to the dominant form that made him one of the most exciting young talents in the NBA.