By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The New Orleans Pelicans will have to wait for a little more after superstar Zion Williamson was ruled out for more weeks when he aggravated his right hamstring injury.
It was the Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin who announced the latest development last February 13, 2023.
The NBA basketball executive explained that Williamson’s return will have to face a delay after feeling pain again in his right hamstring after participating in the team’s 3-on-3 drills.
“Unfortunately this is an injury that has a very high incidence of recurrence. It’s nothing he did wrong to bring this about. It’s an injury that’s tricky and hard to navigate. I think you’ve seen other players around the league have those same re-incidences. It’s not unique,” Griffin said.
Williamson last played for New Orleans on January 3, 2023 against the Philadelphia 76ers and dropped 26 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.
After the loss, the former Duke University Blue Devils superstar wasn’t able to suit up for the Pelicans and later on found out that he injured his right hamstring.
New Orleans was sitting in the top 3 of the Western Conference when Williamson was healthy but suddenly fell to seventh place without him.
The high-flying power forward now missed 20 straight games and left New Orleans with a disappointing 12-16 record since he injured his right hamstring.
“We all feel for Z, having to navigate these injuries. It’s an opportunity for guys to kind of band together and go out and play our best basketball,” said Pelicans’ head coach Willie Green.
New Orleans underwent a rough patch without the services of Williamson when they closed January with a 10-game losing streak but fortunately bounced back against the Los Angeles Lakers last February 5, 2023.
Despite the extended timetable for Williamson’s return, New Orleans welcomed back star small forward Brandon Ingram from injury who is currently averaging 26.4 points during his past five games.
