Zion Williamson Out At Least 2-3 More Weeks, But Pelicans Staying Upbeat

Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson isn’t due for another set of scans on his injured foot for another two-to-three weeks, coach Willie Green said, via Andrew Lopez of ESPN.

Williamson has yet to appear in a game this season, and the Pelicans (1-6) have clearly struggled as a result. They currently own the Western Conference’s worst record in Green’s first season as a head coach.

Williamson, 21, is 6-foot-7 and averaged 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 games last season.

Green told reporters that Williamson has been able to practice, just not in a 5-on-5 setting. 

“He’s cutting, doing some work on the floor,” reported Will Guillory of The Athletic. “He still isn’t cleared to do any 5-on-5 work. The plan is for him to get another round of scans in 2-3 weeks that’ll free him up to be a full participant in practice.”

As an aside, Green told reporters that forward Brandon Ingram is day-to-day with a sore hip.

New Orleans is coming off a loss to the Knicks and visits the Suns on Tuesday.

“These guys are together,” Green said following Saturday’s loss, via Christian Clark of NOLA.com. “They understand big picture. They understand we’re trying to build a program here. I’ve spoken about it to them in the locker room. We have to go through it. It’s the only choice.

“But adversity builds character, and we’re building it. The same losses that we’re having, we’re going to win some of these games in the next couple weeks, month, on the down the line. It’s going to help us build as a team.”

Guard Devonte’ Graham added that the Pelicans are trying to keep a positive outlook on the season.

“We’re going to keep our heads high because it’s going down to the stretch of every game,” Graham said. “We just have to figure out a way to close games. That’s ultimately what it comes down to. Those last four or five minutes. Making plays.”