New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson believes a return from injury in the playoffs is “realistic”, despite his team trailing 1-0 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Williamson suffered a left hamstring injury in the play-in tournament, but is optimistic about joining the team in the series. The star forward, who averaged 22.9 points and 5.8 rebounds this season, missed the entire 2021-22 campaign with a foot injury.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is optimistic about his recovery from a hamstring injury, aiming to return as early as Game 5 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite setbacks in the past, Williamson believes this injury does not seem as severe as his previous one, giving hope for a timely comeback.
Zion Williamson, sidelined by a hamstring injury, is determined to return to the court as soon as possible. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about joining his Pelicans teammates in the playoffs. Williamson emphasized that he is working diligently to pass the necessary tests and regain his fitness. While acknowledging the challenges of the injury, he expressed relief that it was less severe than the one he suffered last season.
According to Bill Simmons, Trey Murphy III would be a better fit for Team USA than Zion Williamson due to his versatility on both ends of the court. While Williamson is the more talented player, Murphy’s ability to defend multiple positions and shoot the ball effectively would make him a valuable asset to the team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to move on from mistakes was crucial in the Thunder’s 94-92 win over the Pelicans in Game 1. Despite a rough shooting night, Gilgeous-Alexander hit the go-ahead jumper with 1:36 remaining and the game-winning three-point play with 32.1 seconds left. His clutch performance shows that the Thunder can rely on him in big moments, even with their lack of playoff experience.
Chet Holmgren made a triumphant playoff debut, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 94-92 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals. With 15 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks, and two assists, Holmgren became only the second rookie in NBA history to record a double-double with at least five blocks in their playoff debut. His game-winning block against Larry Nance with less than a minute remaining sealed the victory for the Thunder. Another rookie, Cason Wallace, also played a crucial role in the closing moments by guarding CJ McCollum and preventing him from attempting a go-ahead three. Despite being the second youngest team in the league, the Thunder displayed resilience and determination in the final stretch of the game. They will host the Pelicans for Game 2 on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
