Zion Williamson seemed adamant that a return to the field before the end of the playoffs was “absolutely realistic” when he spoke with reporters Tuesday.
Williamson, 23, is trying to overcome a left hamstring strain he suffered April 16 during the Pelicans’ play-in game against the Lakers.
The injury kept him out of the Pels’ playoff win over the Kings and Williamson was expected to be out for the remainder of the playoffs before Tuesday’s update.
“It’s definitely realistic. It’s absolutely realistic,” Williamson said. “I have to take some tests, get back to base and hopefully I’ll be there.”
Williamson called the injury initially “super demoralizing” after the season he had for the Pelicans and the fact that he had a 40-point night against the Lakers in Game 1 of the play-in tournament .
The injury occurred on his final basket of the game, with three minutes remaining in the game.
Williamson faced the Lakers’ Anthony Davis in the paint and after his lobbed shot fell, he came back grimacing.
The Pelicans star was spotted shortly after on the bench before throwing a towel in frustration, then heading down the tunnel towards the New Orleans locker room.
“When I got up, I felt it,” Williamson said of the moment he felt the injury. “Super frustrating especially at that point in the game, super frustrating. But my team, my teammates, they handled things and here we are in the playoffs. It’s always exciting, I’m excited for them and hopefully I can get back on the field.
The Pelicans fell to the Thunder in the first game of the best-of-seven series on Sunday in a crushing defeat.
Playing without Williamson makes the Pelicans’ chances of winning the series more difficult.
Game 2 is scheduled to take place Wednesday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
New York Post
