New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson questionable for restart opener
Zion Williamson questionable for New Orleans Pelicans restart opener
As the NBA inches closer to its official restart, which will begin with a doubleheader Thursday, July 30, the New Orleans Pelicans could head into the restart opener without Zion Williamson.
This time, however, Zion won’t be questionable due to injury. Instead, the Pelicans could theoretically keep him out of the restart opener in an attempt to ease him back into action. Zion will be practicing for the first time since re-entering the bubble Wednesday, and it would make sense for the team to hold him out of Thursday’s opener as a precaution.
The last thing the Pelicans want to do is rush Zion back on the floor into full-speed action and risk another injury to the face of their franchise. Instead, the Pelicans could elect to play it safe and easy Zion back into action, perhaps clearing the way to make his NBA restart debut in the second or third seeding game.
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The Pelicans are set to open the restart, facing off against the Utah Jazz Thursday at 6:30 p.m. New Orleans will be heading into the restart 3.5 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies and the 8th seed in the Western Conference.
If the Pelicans are going to have a shot at making the playoffs in the West, they’re going to need to stay within four games of the 8th seed. If they do so, they’ll be able to participate in a playoff play-in tournament for the final seed in the West.
Short of an absolute collapse in the eight seeding games, the Pelicans will likely be in any play-in tournament. It’s essential that assuming it gets to that point, New Orleans is completely healthy. Specifically, Zion Williamson.
The Pelicans know this and it’s likely weighing on their minds as they handle and manage Zion’s return. New Orleans, on paper, is one of the most talented teams in the Western Conference. Entering the hiatus, there was arguably no more hyped non-contender team than the Pelicans. Then, Zion was forced to leave the bubble due to an urgent family matter.
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Now that he’s back though, the hype is back. Even though the Pelicans will likely take it slow with Zion, he’s still one of the biggest stars in the bubble. It’s a matter of time before Zion Williamson will be unleashed in the restart.