Pelicans say Williamson out 4-6 more weeks | Inquirer Sports

Pelicans say Williamson out 4-6 more weeks

/ 03:37 PM December 17, 2021

Zion Williamson Pelicans

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a timeout from the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on November 02, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

Zion Williamson’s NBA season debut won’t come for at least a month, the New Orleans Pelicans said Thursday, announcing the young star had received an injection to stimulate bone healing in his injured right foot.

The 21-year-old had surgery in July on his broken foot and had been aiming for a return to the court in December.

Article continues after this advertisement

But soreness in the foot as he increased his training load forced the Pelicans to dial back his activities.

FEATURED STORIES

“Following a consultation and further evaluation with Dr. Richard Ferkel of the Southern California Orthopedic Institute (Wednesday), Zion Williamson received a biologic injection into the fracture site to stimulate bone healing in his right foot,” the team said in a statement.

“Williamson will be limited to low impact, partial weight-bearing activities for an extended period. Further updates will be given following further imaging which is anticipated to occur in 4-6 weeks.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Williamson, the number one overall selection in the 2019 NBA draft, missed almost half of his rookie season with a knee injury.

Article continues after this advertisement

But he rose steadily in his second campaign, finishing eighth in the NBA in scoring and field goal percentage and earning his first All-Star nod.

Article continues after this advertisement

Hopes that his continued rise would help New Orleans shake off a disappointing 31-41 campaign were dimmed, however, when Williamson broke his foot in the offseason, attributing the injury to “overdoing it” with his training.

Without him, the Pelicans are 9-21 and second-from-bottom in the Western Conference. However, coach Willie Green said earlier this month the team wouldn’t rush the young player back into action.

Article continues after this advertisement

“We’re talking about somebody’s career,” Green said.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: New Orleans Pelicans, Zion Williamson

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.