If you are looking for Zion Williamson to play during the NBA Playoffs, get ready to be disappointed. The Superstar forward for the New Orleans Pelicans will be on the sideline for the team’s Play-In Game on Wednesday night and seemingly for the playoffs as well.
Williamson revealed he could play, but his own mind is what is holding him back form taking the court.
“I can pretty much do everything,” Williamson said. “It’s just a matter of the level that I was playing at before my hamstring. 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.”
How do you feel about those details, Pelicans fans?
Stephen A. Smith is just one of many reacting to the latest Zion Williamson injury news. On Tuesday, Zion spoke to the media about his current rehabbing process. Williamson mentioned that he feels great, But is unsure he could compete at the level expected from him at this moment. Williamson’s words carried a lot of weight on social media. Including many wondering just where Zion’s head is in dealing with all of this. Smith gave his thoughts on the matter during Wednesday’s episode of First Take.
“This guy is a fantastic talent. … He’s gotta find a way to get back on the court. Period. Because it’s starting to look very bad and it’s raising suspicions everywhere.” Smith’s sentiment can be heard by most fans of the NBA. There’s no question just how talented Williamson is. However, will fans ever see him at the max of his talents? Injuries have derailed what could’ve been an already memorable career. Now it seems the mental side of dealing with injuries is a big roadblock in Zion’s return.
Stephen A. Smith Is Beginning To Fear For Zion
.@stephenasmith reacts to Zion Williamson’s recent comments on when he will return:
“This guy is a fantastic talent. … He’s gotta find a way to get back on the court. Period. Because it’s starting to look very bad and it’s raising suspicions everywhere.” pic.twitter.com/MlgTZMCYsp
The suspicions are rightfully warranted. What does feeling like Zion actually mean? Yes, it would be difficult for Zion to return as the Pelicans are beginning to challenge for a playoff spot. However, his presence on the floor could be a complete game-changer. But mental health isn’t something to throw in a corner. Giannis Antetokounmpo recently discussed his battles with mental health. So Zion has every right to get his mind right before returning. But that won’t stop people from making assumptions about the former number-one overall pick.
The Pelicans will begin their quest to earn the eighth seed in the Western Conference on Wednesday night. The Pelicans will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a loser-goes-home matchup. While the winner will face the Minnesota Timberwolves for the final playoff spot. But the Pelicans will once again be without Zion during a playoff push. Are the rumors more than rumors? Does Stephen A. Smith have a point with his take on Williamson? Let us know what you think about the situation in the comment section. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here with HNHH.
Zion Williamson’s hamstring injury has been a mystery this season. It doesn’t help that the New Orleans Pelican has kept so much information tightly sealed. But Williamson had the chance to speak with the media on Tuesday. Before his time with the media, rumors began swirling about Williamson’s playing shape. It was reported that Zion was nowhere near ready to be on the floor again for the Pelicans. Finally, NBA fans can hear the news from the source itself.
“I can pretty much do everything. It’s just a matter of the level that I was playing at before my hamstring. 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.” Williamson seemed upbeat when discussing the injury with the media. From his own words, it seems Williamson isn’t in the playing shape he would like to be in. The Pelicans will be fighting for a playoff spot starting Wednesday in the play-in tournament.
Zion Williamson Feels He Isn’t Ready For Return
“I can pretty much do everything. It’s just a matter of the level that I was playing at before my hamstring. 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.”
The Pelicans would absolutely love to have Zion back for the play-in tournament. However, getting the former number-one overall pick in the right mindset will take time. Zion has heard all the chatter. That maybe he isn’t the superstar New Orleans was hoping he would be. Williamson has been plagued with injuries since his arrival to the NBA. Although, the former Duke Blue Devil has shown glimpses of greatness when he is available. However, the chances of seeing his name on the injury list is higher than seeing him on the court.
Zion Williamson was one of the most talked about recruits in the history of college basketball. If Zion had been playing in college during NIL, it is without question that he would have made more money than any other superstar. Now the highly prized star has seemed to miss more games than he’s played at the professional level. One has to wonder when the Pelicans start to begin the discussions of the franchise moving in another direction. Discussions that no one is ready to have. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here at HNHH.
Zion Williamson has been out of action for the Pelicans since January. However, the team has still performed at a high level. New Orleans is currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Which means they will be participating in the play-in tournament. A returning Williamson would be a huge boost to the team heading into such an important time. But with the latest reports, the Pelicans will have to wait a little bit longer on their superstar’s return.
NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Friday morning that Williamson is unlikely to return for the play-in tournament. Charania stated that the Pelicans have been overly cautious about Williamson’s return. Comparatively, the Pelicans have been in this same situation with Williamson in the past. It seems that Williamson’s young career has been mired with unfortunate injuries. Sometimes the handling of previous injuries has frustrated the former number-one overall pick.
Zion Williamson To Miss Play-In Tournament
Pelicans star Zion Williamson – sidelined since Jan. 2 with a hamstring strain – is unlikely to return to action in next week’s Play-In Tournament, sources tell @TheAthletic@Stadium. The team has been cautious with Williamson’s comeback as he continues rehab process.
The latest injury news is a huge blow to everyone in the New Orleans organization. When Williamson was drafted by the team, the hope was to build the franchise around him. The Pelicans have surrounded Williamson with young talent and own a lot of future draft picks. However, if Williamson stays injured, the Pelicans may have to pull the plug on this version of the team. Williamson was a highly sought-after high school recruit. Upon arriving at Duke, the name Zion Williamson has brought plenty of star power. But we have yet to see Zion’s full potential due to his injuries.
Williamson’s latest bout with the injury bug is frustrating for all involved. The Pelicans forward would love to be competing with his team in the playoffs. However, the team must look ahead without thinking Zion will be available. As of now, the Pelicans would meet the Lakers in the first round of the play-in tournament. The Pelicans own a few of the Lakers future draft picks since sending Anthony Davis to LA. A win by the Pelicans would actually help their draft stock for this summer’s NBA Draft. For the latest breaking NBA news, stay right here with us at HNHH.
Zion Williamson has proven to be a force in the NBA. However, the former Duke Blue Devil can’t seem to stay on the court. Another season marred by injuries, Zion is hoping for a return. According to Shams Charania, Pelicans fans may see Zion soon rather than later. Of course, that would probably mean the team would need to make the playoffs. The Pelicans are currently in eighth place in the Western Conference. That positioning gives them the opportunity to play for the seventh seed in the play-in tournament.
According to Charania on an Appearance with The Pat McAfee Show, the NBA insider had this to say about Zion. “Zion Williamson played in some low intensity 3-on-3 the other day. He played with some coaches… He’s getting some scrimmage work in… I’m told the Pelicans will be cautious with it.” It seems the Pelicans are once again taking it slow with Zion. Williamson has voiced his frustrations in the past with how the organization has handled his injuries. However, it is understandable for the Pelicans to be overly cautious. Williamson is still the future of this franchise.
Zion Williamson Competing In Low-Intensity Scrimmages
“Zion Williamson played in some low intensity 3-on-3 the other day. He played with some coaches… He’s getting some scrimmage work in… The Pelicans, I’m told are going to being cautious with it.”
Yes, the ultimate goal is to make the playoffs. However, don’t plan on seeing the Pelicans rush Zion Williamson back out onto the court. The Pelicans are set up great for their future. The team owns future 1st round picks owned by the Lakers. As well as a great core led by Williamson and Brandon Ingram. It would be hard to imagine seeing the Pelicans keep Zion on the bench during another playoff run. Sooner or later, the team will have to take Zion out of the bubble wrap. Either he plays or stays injured and becomes a what could’ve been story.
The Pelicans once again find themselves in a tricky situation. Dealing with an injury to a superstar is always a delicate situation. However, if this drags into the off-season, one would think that decisions on Zion’s future could soon change. Do the Pelicans trust Zion to lead their franchise into the next Zion? Will Zion be done with the way the organization has treated him and his injuries? Sound off in the comments below to let us know how the Pelicans should manage this. For the latest NBA news, stay right here at HNHH.
Zion Williamson is a player who has struggled quite a bit when it comes to injuries over the years. Overall, this is incredibly unfortunate as Williamson is a tremendous talent. He is someone who can change the game in an instant, and his athleticism is unmatched. However, Pelicans fans haven’t been able to see much of this due to his frequent injury status. Every year, it feels like Zion is dealing with something new. Consequently, the Pelicans have struggled to find the success that they envisioned when they drafted him.
This season, Williamson had the Pelicans looking like one of the best teams in the league. Although, once he got hit with a hamstring injury, the Pelicans took a dive. Since then, they have fallen out of the NBA playoff picture, and it will be difficult for them to get back there. At this point, the fans would do anything to have Williamson back on the floor. According to a new report from Brian Windhorst of ESPN, however, it does not seem like that will be possible.
Zion Williamson Setback Gets Worse
Zion Williamson is ‘not close’ to returning, per @WindhorstESPN
As Windhorst explains, Williamson’s setback in regard to his hamstring injury is actually quite significant. Furthermore, he said that the star is “not close” to coming back to the court. Given the fact that there are less than 20 games to go in the season, it can be said that we will not see Williamson again until the next campaign. For the Pelicans, this is an absolutely disastrous scenario for them. They will now have to try and make the play-in without their best player. Overall, it is a horrible development for them, and it is one that they have experienced all too often.
Zion is an electrifying player and to see him go through all of this has been very frustrating. Fans just want him to be at his best, and his body is not letting him do that right now. Hopefully, that will change as he matures. Until then, the Pelicans will have to rely on what they have. Be sure to stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the basketball world.
Zion Williamson fans will have to wait a few weeks to see him play again. According to ESPN, Williamson has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain.
The injury occurred in the third quarter of a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. After securing a rebound and pushing the ball up the court, Williamson grabbed his leg, eventually leaving the game.
Williamson has been available for 29 games for the Pelicans this season, missing three around Christmas due to Health and Safety Protocols.
For the season, Zion is averaging.26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals on 61% shooting.
The Pelicans are currently missing Brandon Ingram who is working his way back to a return.
The New Orleans Pelicans currently run the western conference of the NBA. Heading out to support the team is NOLA rapper Curren$y, who received basketball phenom Zion Williamson’s jersey in post-game.
Curren$y received the jersey after Zion lit up the Phoenix Suns for 35 points. It was the second time in a row the Pels beat the team that beat them in the playoffs last year.
“7 in a row and these last two were super important for the city. This meant the world to me,” Curren$y wrote.
The Pelicans would lose to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday (Dec. 14) but will look to bounce back in a rematch on Thursday.
Chris Paul is a player who has gotten a ton of criticism over the years. There are a lot of NBA fans out there who actually don’t care for him that much. This is because Paul has delivered some dirty plays. Additionally, he has a reputation for being a bit of a choker in the playoffs.
Subsequently, Paul has been public enemy number one in the NBA this season. The Suns are currently on a bad losing streak, and throughout this time, Paul has been up to his old dirty tricks. One could look at the way he played on Friday and Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans steals the ball from Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Smoothie King Center on December 09, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Chris Paul Vs. Jose Alvarado
On Friday, specifically, Paul was getting into it with Alvarado of the Pelicans. In the end, Alvarado got the best of Paul on two separate occasions as the Pelicans won both match-ups. However, it was the first game on Friday which seemingly led to a very dirty play from the veteran point guard.
As you can see in the clip below from yesterday, Paul was running side by side with Alvarado when he decided to throw up an elbow to the chin. It was a very subtle move, although it was a demonstration of how Paul has a reputation of dirty plays. Alvarado was clearly unimpressed by the move, and it led to a bit of a scrum after the final whistle on Friday.
This unseen angle from Chris Paul and Jose Alvarado on Friday
Overall, this is a very bad look for Paul who is supposed to be a respected veteran and leader in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns are starting to build a nasty reputation, and NBA fans are sick of it. At this point, the majority of NBA fans are praying on their downfall.
You can check out the highlights from Sunday’s game below. Zion Williamson picked up 35 points in an overtime win.
This was very bad news for the New Orleans Pelicans, who were in desperate need of Zion’s services. Thankfully, Zion has been taking his conditioning seriously, and he seems to be in great shape right now.
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Throughout the last few days, Zion has been looking slim yet muscular. He is working extremely hard to get back into game shape, and while speaking to reporters during media day, he offered an update that should excite Pelicans fans.
“I feel like I’m at my best right now... Moving faster, jumping higher. I feel great,” Zion explained. There have been plenty of videos online that support these comments, as Zion continues to show off his dunking ability, while looking like the strongest man in the entire NBA.
“I feel like I’m at my best right now… Moving faster, jumping higher. I feel great.”
The Pelicans are a team that made the playoffs last year and they made it difficult on the Phoenix Suns in the first round. With Zion on the roster, the Pelicans are poised for a massive season, and they could very well be a future contender in the Western Conference.
Stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the NBA.
Shams Charania
