Zion Williamson has been publicly silent because the New Orleans Pelicans disclosed at their media working day on Sept. 27 that he would pass up the commence of the season with a foot personal injury.
On Wednesday, the Pelicans shared Williamson’s initial general public comments given that his injuries was produced public when saying that he carries on to rehab “away from the group” and “under the supervision of the Pelicans health-related workers.”
“As you can visualize, this has been a quite tricky course of action for me,” Williamson mentioned, for each the Pelicans. “I know there’s function to be completed in my restoration right before I can safely and securely return to the court, but I will continue on to put in the time important so I can get back again on the flooring with my team and represent Pelicans fans and the city of New Orleans at the best amount.
“Basketball suggests everything to me, and I am thankful for the Pelicans firm and anyone who has surrounded me with love and assistance throughout this journey — my spouse and children, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, admirers, and everybody who has stood at the rear of me and uplifted me when I wanted it most.”
Normal manager David Griffin instructed reporters on media working day that Williamson’s “timeline really should get him back again on the court docket in time for the regular season.” As the NBA year strategies its 3rd entire month of engage in, Williamson has but to consider the court while experiencing several setbacks with his surgically fixed foot. Meanwhile, speculation swirls about the status of his fat and conditioning and what effect it might participate in on his lingering foot injuries.
Griffin explained through Wednesday’s group statement that Williamson has been and continues to be limited to “partial excess weight-bearing actions” due to the fact his latest imaging on Dec. 16. He also stated that Williamson is absent from the team “so he can focus on the activity at hand.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski studies that Williamson is rehabbing in Portland, Oregon. The Pelicans did not speculate on a timeline for Williamson’s return.
The continued setbacks alongside the long-shot playoff hopes for a 13-25, 14th-place staff solid acceptable question on whether or not Williamson will enjoy at all this season. There is certainly tiny basketball rationale to hurry him back, and the Pelicans will presumably prioritize the longterm health and fitness of their franchise participant in excess of probable meaningless basketball video games except he’s 100% completely ready to return.
As Williamson rehabs, an offseason choice on a rookie agreement extension looms. Signing a rewarding rookie contract extension is commonly a specified for a player of Williamson’s caliber. But Williamson was reportedly frustrated with the Pelicans prior to his personal injury, and the Pelicans also have to be worried about the longterm well being of a player with a foot injury and a record of described fat concerns.