Since being drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Zion Williamson has been a franchise player for the organization. However, the 25-year-old forward has dealt with major injury concerns.
Prior to the 2021-2022 season, Williamson suffered a Jones fracture in his right foot. While the two-time All-Star was expected to return to action a few months after surgery, the slow-healing injury kept him sidelined for over a year.
In an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Williamson discussed this challenging stage of his career.
“The most difficult point was when I missed my third year with a broken foot. There was a lot of criticism on my weight, my care for the game… The doctor is telling me ‘We’re going to perform this surgery, but if this surgery doesn’t work, we really don’t know the next step’… I’m in Portland, rehabbing, not knowing if my foot is going to heal… Every time I checked my phone, it was nothing but negative criticism. At the time, it did a lot.”
A Rebuilding Pelicans Team
This season, Williamson is averaging 21.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over 45 games. It is the third-most regular season appearances in his seven-year career, though the six-foot-six forward is currently dealing with an ankle injury.
With a 19-43 record, the Pelicans hold the 13th spot in the Western Conference standings. The franchise is expected to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year, but the likes of Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray bring hopes of a promising future for the team.
Like Williamson, there are other NBA superstars who’ve dealt with major injuries at the beginning of their careers and went on to have major success. For instance, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was injury-plagued throughout his first two seasons in the league and later became the 2023 NBA MVP.
While Williamson’s availability still remains a looming question mark, there is no doubt that he has a significant impact when on the court.
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