NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – APRIL 28: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center on April 28, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been “cleared in his return to play progression without any restrictions,” according to a Pelicans statement.
Even though Zion Williamson is firmly in Greg Oden territory, his NBA career is far from over.
With that being said, Pelicans fans finally got the news they’ve been waiting for all year: Zion Williamson has been cleared to return to play, the Pelicans announced on Thursday.
Citing “continued improvement” on his fifth metatarsal, it looks like Zion will be able to rejoin the roster this October.
Basketball fans are already dreaming of next year’s lineup, which is expected to feature newcomer CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, and Williamson.
Pelicans fans celebrate as Zion Williamson is cleared to return to the court
Unfortunately, the news comes a little late in the season, as the Pelicans powered their way to the postseason after a dismal regular-season start. Had Zion returned a little sooner, it could have potentially changed the dynamics of the Pelicans-Suns series, but it’s still an exciting development with the talented roster New Orleans has built.
Pelicans Twitter is basically having an online second-line as they proudly parade around with the uplifting update.
This is also great news for Williamson as far as his contract: he’ll be eligible for a rookie extension in July, and now, he can show the team where he’s truly at and can ideally get the contract his talent commands.
For a refresher, the last NBA game that Zion Williamson played in was against the Golden State Warriors on May 4, 2021. Williamson was sidelined for the entire 2021-22 season with a foot injury, which was initially expected to heal by December. A delay in the recovery process prompted the team to send Williamson to continue his rehab in Oregon, which ultimately allowed Williamson to recover from injury successfully.