Zion Williamson Injury Update: New Orleans Pelicans Star 2-3 Weeks Away From Full Practice, Releases Video; Check Out- The New Orleans Pelicans have not had a good start to the NBA 2021/22 season. They have a poor 1-6 record as they have won only one game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Pelicans have been without All-Star big man Zion Williamson all season and it does not appear likely to change soon.
Although Williamson is still suffering from a broken right foot in the offseason, there is positive news on his health, though.
Zion getting some work in after today’s practice 🏀 pic.twitter.com/mZtjlj10GC
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 1, 2021
Coach Willie Green told reporters Monday that Williamson had scans done on his foot and he is able to do some cutting and limited on-court work. However, Williamson is expected to be out at least another 2-3 weeks, at which point the Pelicans hope he will be a full participant in practice.
“He is progressing to do on the court work,” Green said. “He’s still not 5-on-5 competitively yet. He’s cutting. He’s doing explosive work. He’s getting closer and closer.”
Zion Williamson Injury Update: What happened to Zion Williamson?
Williamson had surgery in the offseason to correct a broken right foot he suffered while playing basketball offseason. The team announced at media day that Williamson, who averaged 27 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in 2020-21, was not expected to play in any of the team’s preseason games.
Willie Green says doctors are encouraged by Zion’s latest scans.
Zion up to 5-on-0 work. Can cut, can do explosive work.
Will be another set of scans in 2-3 weeks. Those will determine next step in his return to play.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) November 1, 2021
The Pelicans have struggled to begin 2021-22, and at 1-6 are tied with the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic for the worst record in the league. They are 19th in offensive rating and 26th in defensive rating, a season after ranking 11th and 23rd, respectively, in those categories.
Williamson’s ability around the basket is missed in particular: they are 22nd in points in the paint after finishing second in that statistic last year. In 2020-21, Williamson led the NBA with 1,236 points scored in the paint and 20.3 ppg in the paint as well.
Zion Williamson Injury Update: New Orleans Pelicans Star 2-3 Weeks Away From Full Practice, Releases Video; Check Out