Pelicans’ Zion Williamson says playoff return ‘definitely realistic’

OKLAHOMA CITY — More than an hour after the New Orleans Pelicans‘ observe ended on the Paycom Center on Tuesday afternoon, Zion Williamson was nonetheless within the weight room lifting and dealing on his conditioning.

Tuesday marked every week since Williamson strained his left hamstring within the Pelicans’ play-in event loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. With Williamson out, his group superior to the playoffs with a play-in win in opposition to the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

In his first feedback to the media because the damage, Williamson spoke in regards to the timing after taking part in a career-high 70 video games this season.

“Super demoralizing at first, can’t lie,” Williamson stated. “The season had been going so well, so for that to happen, it definitely was demoralizing. But I took a day or two to get past that, and now I’m back on what I’ve been saying all year, stacking my days and getting back on the court.”

Williamson stated he felt the damage happen late within the fourth quarter when he rose up in opposition to Lakers middle Anthony Davis and scored a tying bucket that gave him 40 factors because the group tried to finish an 18-point comeback. The Lakers referred to as timeout seconds later, however Williamson was already signaling to the bench that he wanted to return out of the sport.

“It was super frustrating, especially at that point in the game,” Williamson stated. “But my team, my teammates, they handled business, and here we are in the playoffs, so that’s still exciting. I’m excited for them, and hopefully I’ll be able to return to the court.”

Williamson stated he should proceed to cross exams with a view to return to the court docket. He stated he has to get to a sure baseline after which cross sure exams after that.

When requested if there was an opportunity he might return this postseason, Williamson stated, “That is definitely realistic. That is absolutely realistic. But like I said, I got to pass the tests and get back to baseline, and hopefully I’ll be out there.”

Last Wednesday, when it was introduced an MRI confirmed Williamson had a left hamstring pressure, the Pelicans stated he can be reexamined in about two weeks.

Last season, Williamson suffered a hamstring damage to his proper leg on Jan. 2 and ended up lacking the remainder of the season, together with the Pelicans’ play-in event loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Williamson stated it helped figuring out his newest damage wasn’t as dangerous as the primary one.

“That was definitely one of those kind of bittersweet moments,” Williamson stated. “At least it’s not like [last year]. So just build off of that.”

Williamson stated that with the damage final 12 months, he might really feel a pointy ache happening his proper leg. He stated that wasn’t the case this time round and that he simply felt like “something’s off.”

Williamson additionally stated watching his group in Game 1, a 94-92 loss to the Thunder, was robust.

“I really love hooping, so it was bittersweet for me, if I’m being honest,” Williamson stated. “It was really bittersweet. The whole time I just kept envisioning myself out there and my impact of the game, but at the same time I had to put aside my personal feelings and be there for my teammates.”