Pelicans’ Zion Williamson Likely to Remain Out for Play-In Game

Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson isn’t expected to return from a right hamstring injury soon, after all.

Per Shams Charania and Zach Harper of The Athletic, Williamson will remain out for the Pelicans’ game (or games) in the play-in tournament. Should the Pelicans advance to the actual playoffs, it seems Williamson’s availability will remain in doubt.

The Pelicans (41-39) enter the weekend with the eighth seed in the Western Conference. They have the same seed as the Lakers, but LA owns the tiebreaker. Both are a game behind the Warriors for the West’s sixth seed.

Williamson has been sidelined since early January, then suffered a setback — which executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin said would keep Williamson sidelined longer than initially expected.

He has been back on the court, working out, and took part in a “rigorous” workout last Tuesday, per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT.

But apparently, that meant little, as the Pelicans continue to be cautious with Williamson’s return.

Williamson, 22, is averaging 26.0 points and 7.0 rebounds, shooting 61 percent from the field, in 29 games.