The New Orleans Pelicans were ready for 2022-23 and they had high hopes for the season.
Not only did the team have a strong core that had been fostered over the last couple of seasons.
But they also had the return of Zion Williamson to look forward to.
After missing the entire previous season due to injury, there was hope that Williamson could help the team reach new heights.
Sure enough, they surged into the season and actually reached the top of the Western Conference.
But then Williamson was hurt at the start of January and the team has faced serious adversity since then.
Pelicans All-Star Zion Williamson – sidelined since Jan. 2 with hamstring strain – re-aggravated the injury and is expected to miss additional weeks after All-Star break, David Griffin says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 12, 2023
All fans are eager to hear a return date for their celebrated big man.
The latest update won’t fill them with much hope.
Shams Charania reported that Williamson re-aggravated his hamstring injury.
He is now expected to miss more weeks following the All-Star break.
Not only does that mean Williamson won’t participate in the All-Star Game, but it also spells serious trouble for his team.
The Pelicans are currently the seventh team in the West, with a 29-28 record.
That is a far cry from where they were just a few weeks ago when they were battling and beating some of the best crews in the league.
A huge part of their success was Williamson with his 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on a 60.8% field goal percentage.
Since losing Williamson, the team has suffered multiple defeats from teams such as the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, and more.
The hope was that he’d be back around the All-Star Game and ready to push the team into the second half of the season.
But that clearly won’t be the case.
Now people are worried about just how long this rehabilitation will take.
Williamson is a great athlete but he isn’t known for his speedy recoveries.
NEXT: The Pelicans Have Fallen Even Further This Week
