Mar 27, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson yawns during pre-game warm ups before their game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Zion Williamson won’t be suiting up for the Pelicans vs. Spurs matchup in the NBA Play-In Tournament but the high-flyer showed off in warm-ups.
On Wednesday night, the New Orleans Pelicans will host the final first-round matchup of the NBA‘s Play-In Tournament for the playoffs, taking on the San Antonio Spurs. As most fans are aware, they won’t have Zion Williamson on the floor.
Williamson, the former No. 1 overall pick out of Duke, hasn’t played at all in the 2021-22 season after he suffered a foot fracture in the preseason and has endured multiple setbacks in his recovery, ultimately resulting in the team announcing that he would not play this year.
However, Williamson has made some progress of late, beginning some 5-on-5 work and practicing in a limited capacity. But if you saw him in the Pelicans’ pregame warm-ups on Wednesday night ahead of the Spurs matchup, you’d think he was ready to take the floor.
Watch Zion Williamson fly high for 360 dunk before Pelicans Play-In game
Just getting some light reps in prior to the start of official warm-ups and the game, Williamson took flight and left anyone who saw in awe of what he’s capable of by throwing down a nasty 360 dunk.
If nothing else, Williamson hasn’t lost his ability to jump out of the gym.
As to when he returns to the floor for New Orleans, that remains to be seen. No matter what happens in the Play-In Tournament and thereafter in the postseason should they advance, the safe bet would be to say he comes back next season. With hops like that, most NBA fans would agree they can’t wait for that comeback.