How long is Zion Williamson out? Injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Pelicans star

Jordan Greer

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How long is Zion Williamson out? Injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Pelicans star image

Injuries have marred the dominant comeback season of Zion Williamson.

The Pelicans star was forced to sit out multiple games early in the 2022-23 season because of a nagging foot injury. He was then sidelined for a three-game stretch in December after being placed in health and safety protocols.

Now, the 22-year-old is out with a hamstring injury.

Here's everything we know about Williamson's setback and the latest news on when he may return to the court.

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What is Zion Williamson's injury?

Late in the third quarter of the Pelicans' Jan. 2 game against the 76ers, Williamson left the court with a right hamstring strain. The team later announced that he would not return.

Williamson finished with 26 points (10-of-12 shooting from the field), seven assists and six rebounds in 28 minutes.

How long will Zion Williamson be out?

On April 6, Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin delivered a non-update on Williamson's status.

"After further evaluation, it has been determined that Zion Williamson will continue his rehabilitation and conditioning regimen," Griffin said. "We will continue to monitor his progression, and updates will be provided as warranted."

The next day, Griffin told reporters that Williamson will not be available for any Play-In Tournament games.

"I would say that if you just look at, like, the logistics of where we're at, it's not possible to get the work in that would put him in a 5-on-5 workout in time for any Play-In [games]," Griffin said (via ESPN's Andrew Lopez). "I think, based on today, our best possible outcome would be if everything lined up perfectly, maybe you're in a position to practice prior to a first-round [series] or maybe during a first-round [series].

"But it's gonna take more than one, right? So it's really hard. And again, we may never get to that point either. If it's not a situation where all those things align and he feels the way he needs to feel, then we're not gonna let him go to the next phase."

Williamson discussed his rehabilitation process on April 11, saying that he will return to the court "when I feel like Zion."

"I can pretty much do everything, but it's just a matter of the level that I was playing at before my hamstring [injury]," Williamson said. "I'm just a competitor. I don't want to go out there and be in my own head and affect the team when I can just be on the sideline supporting them more.

"I know myself. If I was to go out there, I would be in my head. I would hesitate on certain moves, and that could affect the game."

Through 29 games, Williamson is averaging 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 60.8 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from the 3-point line.

NBA Play-In Tournament schedule

April 11

Game
Hawks 116, Heat 105
Lakers 108, Timberwolves 102 (OT)

April 12

Game Time (ET) TV channel
Bulls 109, Raptors 105 7 p.m. ESPN
Thunder vs. Pelicans 9:30 p.m. ESPN

April 14

Game Time (ET) TV channel
Bulls vs. Heat 7 p.m. TNT
TBD vs. Timberwolves 9:30 p.m. ESPN

Zion Williamson career stats, highlights

  • 25.8 points per game
  • 7.0 rebounds per game
  • 3.6 assists per game
  • 0.9 steals per game
  • 0.6 blocks per game
  • 2.9 turnovers per game
  • 32.0 minutes per game
  • 60.5 percent shooting
  • 34.3 percent 3-point shooting
  • 69.1 percent free throw shooting

Jordan Greer

Jordan Greer Photo

Jordan Greer has been with The Sporting News since 2015. He previously worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is a graduate of Westminster College and Syracuse University.