A positive update leaves a glimmer of hope that Pelicans forward Zion Williamson could still return in the regular season, but it's a narrow margin.
The young star has advanced in his rehab from a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Jan. 2 and he has been cleared for on-court work, the team announced Wednesday. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team said, leaving a chance he could return for the final few games of the regular season.
If Williamson got back at the earliest point of the two-week window, he'd have a chance to return as early as an April 5 matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. After that point only two games remain in the regular season, April 7 against the Knicks and April 9 against the Timberwolves.
The less good news came as it pertains to point guard Jose Alvarado, who hasn't played since he suffered a stress reaction in his right tibia during a Feb. 27 loss to the Orlando Magic. Alvarado has shown "incremental improvement," the Pelicans announced. He'll continue the rehab process and be reassessed in 2-3 weeks, indicating his season is likely over barring a return during a run.
At any rate, a return for either player would likely be contingent on whether the Pelicans have anything to play for. As of Wednesday they were sitting out of the playoff picture, but only a half-game out of the 10th and final play-in spot. The complication is they share that claim with the Lakers, while the Jazz and Timberwolves are mathematically tied at No. 10. The Pelicans sit at 35-37 with 10 games to play. The good news is they still sit just 1.5 games out of the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference, and a strong closing effort could potentially have the team in much better shape.
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In the 29 games with Williamson on the court, he and the team excelled. The forward had averages of 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4.6 assists and he was named an All-Star starter for the first time with the team sitting at 23-14 when he suited up. They've gone 12-24 since, including a 10-game losing streak.
The Pelicans have won their past two games in dominating fashion and show signs of an upswing, with a 5-5 record over their past 10 games. New Orleans is next in action on Thursday when they host the Charlotte Hornets at the Smoothie King Center.
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