One of the most exciting players in the NBA today is, without a doubt, Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Unfortunately, Williamson is the one superstar in the league that has proven to be the most undependable in terms of staying healthy and being available for the Pelicans.
Williamson hasn’t been able to stay healthy since being drafted No. 1 out of Duke University in 2019, as he’s consistently rehabbing an injury or coming off an injury.
After missing the majority of the 2022-23 regular season, the Pelicans provided an update on Williamson’s status with the NBA playoffs looming, and unfortunately, it’s more of the same from the superstar forward.
David Griffin announced the following update on Zion Williamson:
“After further evaluation, it has been determined that Zion Williamson will continue his rehabilitation and conditioning regimen.
We will continue to monitor his progression, and updates will be provided as… pic.twitter.com/HgtClM5gmS
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 6, 2023
Here are some fan reactions to today’s announcement.
It’s bad for the team morale because they get worked up and play at a high level for when they think he’s coming back and then when he doesn’t you can see they get deflated and that’s when they start to lose. Just say he’s not coming back, dude.
— Corey Hébert, MD (@CoreyHebertMD) April 6, 2023
This is a bad look for the medical team, GM, coaches, & Zion
— Van (@vanman_1000) April 6, 2023
Season over
— Curtis Cooper (@cwcooper810) April 6, 2023
I'm kicking myself for renewing my tickets. This team has no chance in the playoffs- should have tanked the last month.
— Brian Freese (@FreessBrian) April 6, 2023
At this point I think it would be best for the team to cut their losses, trade Zion and build around Ingram.
— Baker (@itsbaker08) April 6, 2023
Bust big time
— Todd Petteway (@PettewayTodd) April 6, 2023
In his four seasons in the NBA thus far, Williamson has played in only 114 games for the Pelicans and no more than 61 games in one season.
Many have speculated that Williamson doesn’t take care of himself nor try to keep himself in peak condition in order to be available for the Pelicans consistently.
There’s no doubting his talent or his ability to dominate the game, as when he’s healthy and playing, there are few in the league that can contend with him, but the fact is he is injury prone doesn’t seem to be changing.
The Pelicans brass has to be concerned at this point, with no telling if they’ll ever get an entire season out of Williamson and if he’ll ever shake the injury bug, which has derailed what many thought would be a very promising career in the NBA.
NEXT: NBA Insider Gives Latest Zion Williamson Injury Update
