Could Pelicans' Zion Williamson Be Ready Before the Playoffs?

Zion Williamson is in New Orleans, being evaluated; Barring any setbacks, when could he make his season's debut?

Chris Dodson | Mar 9, 2022

Could Pelicans' Zion Williamson Be Ready Before the Playoffs? /

Zion Williamson is back in town, attending church, and getting back to work with the New Orleans Pelicans. Barring any setbacks, when could he make his season's debut?

Updates on Zion Williamson's progress are coming in almost daily. First, on Wednesday, March 2, the New Orleans Pelicans released an update stating, "Recent imaging showed improved bone healing of the fifth metatarsal in Zion Williamson's right foot. He will gradually progress to full weight-bearing exercise and basketball activities." It has been one week since that release, and officially Williamson "remains out indefinitely."

"Indefinitely" might be sooner than most thought just weeks ago. Multiple sources indicate Williamson wants to play this season and is pushing to get back in the game in the next few weeks. Considering the rapid rate of updates on his health, there is no reason to doubt him, even though the Pelicans are more focused on Williamson's long-term health.

May 3, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) flexes his muscle after making a basket against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the second half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

On March 5, Shams Charania and Will Guillory reported Williamson was back in town. Then there were the Sunday church confirmations Williamson was back in the Big Easy. Now that Williamson is ramping up his rehab with the New Orleans Pelicans, there is reason to believe he will play this season. The team has "not ruled out the possibility" and knows Williamson wants to play with this team. If he is really pushing to play, the best-case scenario will give the team ten games to incorporate Williamson into the rotations.

The Pelicans will require Williamson to prove he can handle the workload. Every player is required to pass specific tests, and the last time Williamson tried to make a return, the team held him to spurts. Bill Simmons said he "heard (Williamson) dropped 24 pounds" on a recent Lowe Post Podcast. Though I've yet to hear such a specific number, the recent pictures and other sources suggest Williamson is close to his preferred playing weight, and passing conditioning tests are a mere formality. The health of his foot is more problematic than his cardio levels at this time.

Sure, the team could play it safe and wait until next season to bring Williamson back into the team. Holding him back when he wants to play risks damaging the relationship, and it would mean Williamson is going almost two years between regular-season games. So, how long could it take to get Williamson on the court? Possibly just a couple more weeks.

Nov 24, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) talks to the ball boys on a time out against Washington Wizards during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Williamson has had time to visit with team doctors in the week since the Pelicans issued their press release. Andrew Lopez reported Williamson was not up to one-versus-none drills yet on March 5 yet just two days later Charania reported he was "cleared to gradually progress to basketball activities in his rehab." That same quick progression could have Williamson playing in 5 vs. 5 team runs in the next two weeks.

Sticking to that timeline, Williamson could be available for the final 10 games of the season. A return on March 24 against the Chicago Bulls or the San Antonio Spurs on March 26 would give Williamson 9-10 games to get ready for a playoff play-in game, most likely against the Los Angeles Lakers. That would be plenty of time for Williamson to knock off some rust while Willie Green figured out the new rotations.

A return on March 27 when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Smoothie King Center would make for great headlines though the timing and situation might be off-putting. There will be enough hype from the media, and the game could be flexed into a national broadcast. Neither the team nor Williamson wants his return to be a pressure-inducing distraction to the Pelicans playoff push.

However, they may not have a choice but to accept being the biggest spectacle on the NBA schedule for at least a few nights. Pushing Williamson's debut back a week places his debut in Los Angeles against the 9th-place Lakers. That would give the team only six games to get things right before facing an elimination game.

New Orleans does not need to rush the process and risk any setbacks with Williamson. They also have no reason to hold him back. As another season comes to a close, the best-case scenario for Williamson's return to the New Orleans Pelicans for a playoff push might also be the best thing to happen at the end of the NBA regular season. A playoff appearance in April would be a great start to seeing a return on the team's investment and would give Williamson the platform his talent deserves.

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Published Mar 9, 2022

CHRIS DODSON