No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson has started participating in on-court training exercises in recent weeks with the New Orleans Pelicans and is making progress in his recovery from knee surgery.
Jorge Sedano of ESPN reported on Wednesday night that the process for Williamson has been more about just recovering from knee surgery on Oct. 21. The organization is also training Williamson to walk and run differently to work on the kinetic chain on his body.
Williamson has been seen publicly doing shooting drills and he has also gone through group drills but he has not yet started 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 workouts. Williamson participated last week in an extended workout with team coaches running up and down the court and going through plays.
As Williamson ramps up his recovery efforts, the Pelicans would eventually like the former Duke star to participate in two or three practices before making his debut. The team expects Williamson, per Sedano’s report, to begin those practices shortly after the new year.
A source within the organization told ESPN that before Williamson makes his on-court return, the team would like him to undergo at least two or three practices doing full work. A source told Sedano the team is targeting just after the new year for those practices.
The Pelicans have stated that they will not rush Williamson back to the court in order to ensure he is 100% healthy. They are prioritizing his long-term health and future, which is also why the team is working on re-programming his body by changing the way he walks and runs.
Without Williamson this season, the Pelicans are 14th in the Western Conference and have posted a 9-23 record after defeating the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day.
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