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The New Orleans Pelicans have ridden the Zion Williamson roller coaster since 2019. After taking him with the number-one overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, they decided to sign him to a contract extension worth $193 million, according to Spotrac. Williamson has been unable to stay healthy since coming into the league, which has prevented the Pelicans from competing for playoff spots. When healthy, he’s one of the best players in the league. He’s played 70 games just once in his career. Last season, Williamson played just 30 games due to multiple injuries. He came into this season in some great shape, but that did not help keep him healthy. After leaving a game against the Thunder, he will now miss at least a week of action with a hamstring injury. New Orleans Pelicans Star Zion Williamson Will Miss 7-10 Days With Hamstring Injury According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Williamson will miss at least the next 7-10 days with a hamstring injury. There’s a chance that he can still miss more time, but he will be re-evaluated after that timeframe has passed. The Pelicans might be the most disappointing team in basketball so far this season. They are the worst team in the Western Conference and one of two winless teams left in the NBA. New Orleans has lost three games by 30+ points, which is half the games they’ve played up to this point. Without Williamson, the Pelicans have now lost their best player and the guy who gives them their scoring punch. New Orleans also traded their first-round pick for this year, so tanking does them no good. They have to hope Williamson is great when he returns. So far this season, Williamson is scoring 22.8 points per game, which is the second-lowest total of his career. The hope is that once he returns healthy, he can start scoring at a higher clip. Willie Green might not be around to watch him do that, though. The New Orleans Pelicans Might Fire Willie Green Without Williamson, it becomes much harder for the Pelicans to win a game. Willie Green could be on the hot seat. He addressed that with the media during practice on Monday afternoon, with video provided by Fletcher Mackel of WDSU. “Look, when you take these positions, this is what comes with it. There’s no way around that. When the team doesn’t do well, or it doesn’t start the way you wanted to, I’m up front and center. It’s my responsibility to try to help these guys get on track.” Green has to find a way to get his team a win before Williamson returns to the floor. If he can’t, the Pelicans might be searching for a new head coach. Joe Dumars has made some bold moves when it comes to restructuring the roster, so that hasn’t done Green any favors.
