Zion Williamson has been spending extra hours in the gym since he strained his left hamstring last week during his team's loss to the Lakers in the Play-in tournament. The Pelicans star is working on improving his condition and the weight room to try and recover as quickly as possible and return to help his team win their first round series vs. Oklahoma City.
It has been a week since he was injured, and the striker attended the press after training on Tuesday. The player was questioned at this inconvenient time after competing in 70 top-flight games this campaign.
“It's scary at first, I'm not going to lie,” said the star. “The season was going very well, so for that to happen, it was disappointing. But I took a day or two to get over that, and now I'm getting back to what I've been saying all year, getting my days together and getting back on the court.”
“That's really true. It's true, but like I said I have to pass the exams.”
-Zion Williamson who may return this postseason
with @jarrettreed_ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oglmHjTlk1
– Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) April 23, 2024
The 23-year-old recalled what went through his mind when the injury occurred late in the fourth quarter when he went up against rival Anthony Davis for his 40th point of the game against the purple and gold. The player first limped on the field and pointed to the coaching staff on the bench.
“It was very frustrating, especially at that point in the game,” Zion said. “But my team, my colleagues, have been running the business, and here we are in the qualifying stage, so that's still exciting. I'm happy for them, and hopefully I'll be able to get back on the court.”
He was then asked the million dollar question, about the possible timing of his return, and he bluntly revealed that he needed to reach a certain base and pass certain tests. “That's really true. That is absolutely true. But like I said, I have to pass the tests and get back to the first division, and hopefully I'll be there,” he said about his recovery during the qualifiers.
The day after the injury, the results of an MRI confirmed that he was suffering from a left hamstring strain and will need to be re-evaluated in two weeks, which should be next Wednesday.
Williamson can't help but remember last year's season-ending injury as “one of those painful moments”
The New Orleans forward dominated the NBA courts last season until he suffered a right leg injury on January 2nd, which ultimately ruled him out of the competition. With this new health issue, the player cannot help but compare the two situations, although he admitted that last year he felt very bad.
“That was one of those painful moments,” said the champion, who has averaged 22.9 points per game this season. “At least it's not the same [last year]. So just take that out. “
At that time, he remembered feeling a sharp pain in his right leg, a very different description than his current state. In this case, he simply says that he feels like “something is off.”
“I really like hooping, so it was bittersweet for me, to be honest,” said Zion. “It was really bitter. I always saw myself there and my impact on the game, but at the same time I had to put my personal feelings aside and be there for my teammates.”
