Major update on Zion Williamson’s return to action

Zion Williamson is apparently on the verge of a comeback.

The Pelicans announced Tuesday that Williamson, out of action since Nov. 6 with a 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.”

It was further noted that Williamson is “week-to-week” in his return.

When Williamson suffered the hamstring strain, the expectation was for him to miss an extended period due to his history with the same injury. The Duke alum missed 53 games with a hamstring strain in the 2022-23 season and dealt with a similar season-ending injury during last year’s playoffs. That’s precisely why the Pelicans were non-committal to a timeline for Williamson’s return, announcing that he was “out indefinitely” when he began rehab in early November. 

Williamson, 24, has been largely injury-prone in his young NBA career. He missed 216 of a possible 406 games through his first five seasons, including all 82 in 2021-22. 

As for the Pelicans, Williamson’s absence is only a part of their problem this season. The franchise has been ravaged by injuries, with Williamson (24), Brandon Ingram (12), CJ McCollum (13), Trey Murphy III (13), Dejounte Murray (17), Herbert Jones (18) and Jose Alvarado (19) all missing a chunk of games already. Their healthiest starter has been rookie Yves Missi, who has missed only one of the 30 games thus far.

New Orleans entered the season with a lot of expectations after winning games last year. Many felt the Pelicans were primed to take a step toward contender status, especially after they traded for Murray this past offseason. However, the 5-25 Pelicans seem destined to miss the playoffs.