Zion Williamson, an All-Star forward, said he won't rejoin the New Orleans Pelicans newslineup until he is sure his body will react favourably to the manner he wants to play.
Physically, I'm good," Williamson said on Tuesday after suffering a right hamstring injury in early January. Now, all I have to do is wait till I feel like Zion.
Williamson claimed he preferred to stay on the sidelines and encourage his squad more rather than go out there and get caught up in his own thoughts.
With Wednesday night's do-or-die Western Conference play-in game between New Orleans and Oklahoma City, Williamson's protracted absence looms particularly important right now.
The winner advances to play at least once more on Friday night for the chance to meet top-seeded Denver in the conference's first-round playoff matchup. The loser is out for the season.
Williamson acknowledged that he faces "a little bit of a mental battle" as a result of a setback in his recuperation that prevented him from taking part in the All-Star Game.
Given how his first four NBA seasons have gone since he was taken first overall out of Duke in the 2019 NBA draft, Williamson's concern about re-injury is understandable.
As a rookie, he only participated in 24 games, primarily due to a left knee injury. Due to a broken right foot, he missed the all of his third season and only participated in 29 games of the regular season in 2022–23.
Williamson has been forced to endure basketball fans and commentators challenging his resolve to come back on the floor as well as his dedication to staying in shape.
Williamson claimed that his repeated lengthy absences from the court have taught him that "nothing's really guaranteed." Williamson asserted that it is in God's plan for him to be the person he believes he ought to be. You will have to accept it if not.