Pelicans: Williamson out 2 more weeks with hamstring injury

Injured New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, left, talks with forward Naji Marshall, second from right, during a timeout in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) (Terrance Williams, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

NEW ORLEANS ā€“ Zion Williamson is expected to be out at least two more weeks following a recent re-evaluation of his right hamstring injury, the Pelicans said Tuesday night.

Williamson appears to be ā€œhealing as expectedā€ from the Jan. 2 injury and ā€œmaking good progress with his recovery,ā€ the club said, but needs to continue strengthening his hamstring and gradually progress to more movement.

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He'd missed 10 games heading into Tuesday night's contest against Denver for the Pelicans, who've lost four straight and have gone 3-7 without him.

In the 29 games Williamson has played, he's averaged 26 points, seven rebounds, and 4.6 assists ā€” and New Orleans is 17-12.

Pelicans coach Willie Green called the update on Williamson is ā€œabsolutelyā€ positive.

ā€œThe healing progress is going accordingly,ā€ Green said, adding that Williamson will soon begin limited on-court work again.

ā€œThe first step is that heā€™ll be able to be on the court but more stationary shooting, stationary ball-handling ā€” a little movement as far as off the court.ā€

Green also said high-scoring wing player Brandon Ingram was not quite ready to come back against the Nuggets from a large left toe injury and would miss his 29th straight game.

The Pelicans play again at home Wednesday night against Minnesota, and Green said the staff was ā€œdefinitely hopefulā€ Ingram would try to play in that game.

Lacking Ingram and Williamson in the lineup has been a factor the team's recent performance, but not always an overriding one.

ā€œIf we take care of the basketball that's more opportunities for points,ā€ Green said, alluding to New Orleans' 25 turnovers in a 100-96 at Miami.

ā€œOur offense is fine if we continue to trust one another,ā€ Green added. "Having guys out definitely puts some stress on guys to feel they have to do more, but the ā€˜moreā€™ is rebounding, deflections, taking charges, more passes to each other."

Green said Naji Marshall, who has an injured right large toe, also was unable to play against Denver.

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