Andrew LopezESPN2:55 PM ET2 Minute Read
METAIRIE, La. – New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has returned to on-court activity but is still being reevaluated in two weeks from his right hamstring strain that has kept him off since Jan. 2.
A two-week re-rating would be April 5, with the Pelicans having just three regular season games as of that point — against Memphis (April 5), New York (April 7), and Minnesota (April 9).
Pelicans coach Willie Green said Williamson’s return before the end of the regular season is definitely a possibility.
“I can’t confirm if he’ll come back or not, but we’ll see,” Green said on Wednesday. “It’s extremely positive for him and our team. It was again one of those years where he started well, made an All-Star Game, and injuries were difficult to deal with. It’s part of the game, but it was definitely tough.
“I’m sure he’s relieved to feel normal again and be on the ground.”
Green said Williamson isn’t doing much work on the pitch at the moment because the team is slowing down with the injury.
Williamson originally injured his hamstring on Jan. 2, but he reinjured it before the All-Star break while preparing for his return.
“He starts moving a little bit, runs a little bit, shoots a little bit,” Green said. “But we’re going to take it slow.”
Green added that Williamson is “excited” to take the next step in his rehab process and do more basketball activities.
The Pelicans are 35-37 and tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for 11th in Western Conference standings. They are 1.5 games away from sixth place – and can avoid the play-in tournament.
Williamson is averaging 26.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in the 29 games he has played this season and would certainly be an addition to a team that wasn’t the same without him.
New Orleans was 23-14 when Williamson was injured, and the Pelicans’ 12-23 mark without him has since put them in the bottom five of the winning percentage.
Pelican guard Jose Alvarado, who has been traveling since February 27th with a stress reaction in his right shin, has shown incremental improvement and will continue his rehabilitation process and will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.