The New Orleans Pelicans’ season is really taking a hit right now, and it’s all down to injuries. The biggest one is Zion Williamson being out for who knows how long. He messed up his hamstring in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 6. At first, it seemed like he’d be sidelined for about four to six weeks, but now it turns out he’s “not close to a return,” according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“Rehab is going great,” Williamson told NBA.com. “On track. That’s all I can do right now.” Zion’s staying positive, but the Pelicans are bracing for him to be out longer. This injury just adds to his bad luck, especially after he missed the entire 2021-22 season. With no real timeline for his return, the Pelicans—sitting at 4-13 and near the bottom of the Western Conference—are in a tough spot.
I asked Zion at shootaround today what he's able to do in terms of mobility: “If you ask me, a lot. But I have to follow protocol and guidelines. Staying in good spirits. Rehab is going great. I’m on track. That’s all I can do right now." https://t.co/1wdpljGeeJ
— Christian Clark (@cclark_13) November 22, 2024
But Zion’s injury isn’t the only problem. The Pelicans are dealing with a full-blown injury crisis. Key players like CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Jose Alvarado have all been sidelined at various points. Brandon Ingram has stayed relatively healthy, but even his efforts haven’t been enough to turn things around. With so many guys out, the Pelicans’ playoff hopes are quickly slipping away.
What Zion Williamson’s Injury Means For The Pelicans
With Zion’s injury dragging on, the Pelicans now face some tough decisions. If his absence stretches into December, some analysts are suggesting the team might want to start thinking about the draft. The Pelicans have their own first-round pick, plus the Milwaukee Bucks’ pick (if it falls within the 5-30 range), so they could target a top prospect like Cooper Flagg.
Even with all the setbacks, the team is still hopeful that Zion will be back soon. “The initial part of it is always rough,” Williamson shared with NOLA.com. “After the first week, your spirits are back up. Just being around the guys helps a lot as well.” While his optimism is great, the Pelicans’ 4-13 record leaves little margin for error, especially in the tough Western Conference.
What was supposed to be a promising season has quickly turned into a nightmare for New Orleans. Whether Zion makes a return to try to salvage the season or the team looks toward the future, one thing is clear: the Pelicans’ fate depends on the health of their star. For now, all they can do is wait and hope for better days ahead.
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