Pelicans With Zion Williamson Becoming Tale Of What Could Have Been

November 23, 2024

Zion Williamson’s talent has never been in question. When he’s on the floor, he’s a game-changer — an unstoppable combination of size, skill, and athleticism. But once again, the New Orleans Pelicans find themselves asking the same question: When will Zion be back?

Williamson has been sidelined since November 6 with a hamstring strain, and it’s clear his return is not imminent. ESPN reports he’s undergone multiple treatments, and the team doesn’t expect him back until at least mid-December — possibly later.

For a player who supposedly entered the season in the best shape of his career, it’s a gut punch for both Williamson and the Pelicans. Since being drafted first overall in 2019, he’s missed 211 of 401 regular-season games.

No matter how good he is when healthy, availability remains the biggest obstacle for Williamson and his team.

The Pelicans are feeling the weight of injuries all over their roster. Key offseason addition Dejounte Murray broke his hand in the opener. CJ McCollum, Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Jose Alvarado have all been sidelined at various points. It’s created a situation where consistency is impossible, and the record reflects that.

At 4-13, they’ve dropped four straight and 10 of their last 11. Their latest defeat came Friday night in an NBA Cup game against the Warriors, a 112-108 loss that felt like another missed opportunity.

This isn’t the season New Orleans envisioned. They believed this was the year they’d turn a corner. Williamson was in shape, the roster had depth, and expectations were high.

Instead, it feels like déjà vu — another year where the Pelicans are trying to survive rather than thrive. Until their stars, particularly Zion, can stay healthy, this is the reality they’ll face. And that’s a tough pill for everyone involved.