The New Orleans Pelicans have given an update on Zion Williamson's return timeline, and that update is: The wait continues.
The Pelicans conducted imaging tests this week, which show the star forward's injured hamstring "continues to heal," but there was no clear indicator of when a return to the floor might come.
The update did say Williamson would be examined again in 2 weeks.
The former No. 1 overall pick hasn't taken the floor for the Pelicans since he left late during a Jan. 2 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. His return appeared imminent shortly prior to the All-Star break, but he suffered a setback during 3-on-3 work, Executive Vice President David Griffin said. He did not appear in the All-Star Game, where he was selected to be a starter, and the season is getting down to the final stretch. That honor was indicative of just how stellar Williamson's opening 29 games were, with averages of 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
The question soon will be whether Williamson returns at all this season. Even if he were to return immediately following his exam 2 weeks from today, the most games he could possibly appear in would be the final 10. The frustrating absence is not dissimilar to the 2021-'22 season, when a potential return was dangled for much of the season before being pulled from the table late in the year. Williamson has been with the team and watching from the sideline throughout his injury absence.
At this point it's also unclear whether there'd be a postseason target at all to consider. Williamson's absence has also coincided with a once-thriving Pelicans squad stumbling to 8-20 without him, including a 10-game losing streak. Fellow star Brandon Ingram was also absent for many of those games. That disappointing run has dropped the Pelicans from the top half of the Western Conference standings to where they now sit (31-34), tied for No. 10 and the final play-in spot with two other teams.
The Pelicans are back on the floor Wednesday evening when they face off with the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center.
