New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was cleared for on-court activities on Wednesday, more than 11 weeks since he strained his right hamstring.
Williamson, 22, last played when he was injured in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 2.
The 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick received the go-ahead after an evaluation of his hamstring. The team said he will be evaluated again in another two weeks.
Whether he plays for the Pelicans again this season is unclear. That two-week window from the team ends April 5. The Pelicans will have just three regular-season games remaining before the season ends April 9.
The Pelicans also announced point guard Jose Alvarado, who has missed the last 10 games recovering from a stress reaction in his right tibia, showed “incremental improvement” and will continue the “rehabilitation process and will be re-examined in 2-3 weeks.”
Entering play Wednesday, the Pelicans (35-37) are on the outside of the playoffs in the packed Western Conference.
The Pelicans and Los Angeles Lakers, who have identical records, are a half-game out of the final play-in spot in the West, but only 1 1/2 games out of the sixth — and final — guaranteed playoff berth in the conference.
Williamson has averages of 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 29 starts this season. He is shooting 60.8 percent from the floor.
Williamson missed all of last season after having surgery on a broken foot. He had missed eight games in 2022-23, including three in December while in health and safety protocol, before the hamstring injury.
–Field Level Media