Pelicans Reveal Big Update On Zion Williamson

There are only 2 ½ weeks left in the regular season. The New Orleans Pelicans are fighting for their playoff/play-in lives. According to an update revealed by the team today, they might possibly be able to get Zion Williamson back for the final couple of games of the season.

Medical Update on Zion Williamson:

Following a re-evaluation on his right hamstring strain, Zion Williamson has been cleared to return to on-court activities. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 22, 2023

The Pelicans have reassessed Williamson's injured hamstring, and say he has shown "incremental improvement." He's now been cleared to return to on-court activities. Most importantly, the team adds that he'll be re-evaluated again in two weeks. 

That would take us to April 5th. New Orleans would have three games left in the regular season at that point, on April 5th against the Memphis Grizzlies, April 7th against the New York Knicks, and the final game of the season, which could decide everything, against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 9th. 

Zion suffered the strained hamstring on January 2nd, at which point the Pelicans were 3rd in the Western Conference at 23-14. They've gone 12-23 in the 35 games he's been out, dropping them to a tie for 11th/12th in the West, outside of the play-in by half a game. 

Needless to say, getting him back, even for a couple of games, could be the difference between a play-in berth, and the back end of the lottery. 

Photo: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports