Pelicans With Zion Williamson Becoming Tale Of What Could Have Been

Zion Williamson s talent has never been in question.

When hes on the floor, hes 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 its clear his return is not imminent.

ESPN reports hes undergone multiple treatments, and the team doesnt 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, its a gut punch for both Williamson and the Pelicans.

Since being drafted first overall in 2019, hes 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.

Its created a situation where consistency is impossible, and the record reflects that.

At 4-13, theyve 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 isnt the season New Orleans envisioned.

They believed this was the year theyd turn a corner.

Williamson was in shape, the roster had depth, and expectations were high.

Instead, it feels like deja 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 theyll face.

And thats a tough pill for everyone involved.

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