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New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans: Zion Williamson's foot improving, but no timetable

Zion Williamson's recovery from a right foot injury has improved to the point where he can gradually resume basketball activities

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Zion Williamson's recovery from a right foot injury has improved to the point where he can gradually resume basketball activities, the New Orleans Pelicans said Wednesday.

However, there remains no timetable for when he might play in a game.

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The announcement came after physicians examined recent imaging of Williamson's foot and saw evidence of "improved bone healing."

Williamson, who averaged a team-high 27 points and was an All-Star last season, was trying to return to practice in mid-December from an injury that occurred during the summer. But imaging of his foot at that time revealed a setback and the club said Williamson would stop practicing and focus on healing.

Williamson then received a "biologic injection" meant to improve bone healing. And with the Pelicans' permission, Williamson left New Orleans in early January to continue his recovery on his own in Oregon.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 02: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a time-out from the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on November 02, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-100.

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 02: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a time-out from the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on November 02, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Pelicans 112-100. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Drafted first overall out of Duke in 2019, Williamson played in just 24 games as a rookie because of a preseason right knee injury (lateral meniscus). In his second season, he played in 61 of 72 games.

He hurt his foot last summer while performing basketball drills with his stepfather, with whom he has entrusted his offseason training.

The Pelicans revealed the injury on the first day of training camp in September, saying they hoped he’d be ready to play by the regular-season opener on Oct. 20. Williamson initially agreed with that timeline, which has since proved overly optimistic by at least five months.

Without Williamson, the Pelicans started 1-12 but have steadily climbed into contention for a Western Conference playoff berth. They also acquired high-scoring guard CJ McCollum from Portland two days before the NBA trade deadline with the aim of consolidating their recent gains in the standings.

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After losing four of five games after the trade, the Pelicans returned from the All-Star break with consecutive lopsided victories at Phoenix and at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Entering Wednesday night's home game against Sacramento, the Pelicans (25-36) and Portland (25-36) were tied for the 10th and final play-in spot in the West with 21 regular season-games remaining.