Pelicans Reveal Extent Of Pain, Offer Injury Update On Zion Williamson, Others

The New Orleans Pelicans’ injury woes continue, and honestly, it feels like déjà vu.

Zion Williamson? Still out. The Pelicans say he’s “progressing well” from that pesky left hamstring strain, but don’t hold your breath for a quick return. He’ll be reevaluated in two weeks, but let’s face it — this timeline sounds more optimistic than realistic.

Zion’s played just six games this season, and the Pelicans have gone 1-12 since his last appearance on November 6. Not exactly a winning formula.

Jose Alvarado? Same story. The gritty guard, also sidelined with a left hamstring strain, is on the same two-week reevaluation plan as Zion. Add him to the list of “progressing” players.

Meanwhile, second-year wing Jordan Hawkins? He’s been dealing with low back soreness, and now the Pelicans have revealed it’s actually a lumbar spine annular fissure. He’s out at least another week. Just brutal luck for a team that can’t seem to catch a break.

There’s a glimmer of hope, though. Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones practiced in full Wednesday, and both are questionable for Thursday’s game against Phoenix.

Ingram, battling right plantaris tendonitis, has missed five straight. Jones? A whopping 18 games with a right shoulder strain. If they can suit up, it’ll be a much-needed boost for a team on life support.

Let’s be real here — the Pelicans are walking a tightrope. The Western Conference waits for no one, and with Williamson and Alvarado still weeks away (at best), this season’s outlook could spiral ever further fast.

Can Ingram and Jones save the day? Maybe. But New Orleans’ margin for error is razor-thin, and the injury bug refuses to let up. Stay tuned, folks — this could get messy.

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