Zion Williamson’s recovery from a right foot injury has improved to the point where he can gradually resume basketball activities, the New Orleans Pelicans said.
However, there remains no timetable for when he might play in a game.
The announcement came after physicians examined recent imaging of Williamson’s foot and saw evidence of “improved bone healing.”
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“We’re all pleased with the results, that he’s progressing. But it’s still a long road ahead of him,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “He’s aware of it, but he’s taking necessary steps to continue to improve. We’ll see how it goes.”
The Pelicans’ update over Williamson’s health comes amid doubts over whether he will agree to remain with the franchise on a long-term basis.
The 21-year-old is eligible to sign a five-year max rookie contract extension of A$248 million this off-season, but there is speculation he will reject the extension and force a trade elsewhere instead.
Williamson, who averaged a team-high 27 points per game and was an All-Star last season, was trying to return to practice in mid-December from an injury that occurred during the summer. But imaging of his foot at that time revealed a setback and the club said Williamson would stop practising and focus on healing.
Williamson then received a “biologic injection” meant to improve bone healing. And with the Pelicans’ permission, Williamson left New Orleans in early January to continue his recovery on his own in Oregon.
Drafted first overall out of Duke in 2019, Williamson played in just 24 games as a rookie because of a pre-season right knee injury (lateral meniscus). In his second season, he played in 61 of 72 games.
He hurt his foot last summer while performing basketball drills with his stepfather, with whom he has entrusted his off-season training.
The Pelicans revealed the injury on the first day of training camp in September, saying they hoped he’d be ready to play by the regular-season opener on October 20. Williamson initially agreed with that timeline, which has since proved overly optimistic by at least five months.
Without Williamson, the Pelicans started 1-12 but have steadily climbed into contention for a Western Conference playoff berth. They also acquired high-scoring guard CJ McCollum from Portland two days before the NBA trade deadline with the aim of consolidating their recent gains in the standings.
After losing four of five games after the trade, the Pelicans returned from the All-Star break with consecutive lopsided road victories against Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Entering a home game against Sacramento, the Pelicans (25-36) and Portland (25-36) were tied for the 10th and final play-in spot in the Western Conference with 21 regular season-games remaining.
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