New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson, who has yet to play this season because of a broken bone in his right foot, received a “biologic injection into the fracture site to stimulate bone healing,” the team said Thursday.
The procedure was performed after an examination done Wednesday by Dr. Richard Ferkel of the Southern California Orthopedic Institute. Williamson will be limited to “low impact, partial weight-bearing activities for an extended period,” the team said.
The next update on his condition is expected after further imaging, which probably won’t occur for four to six weeks.
Biologics increasingly are being used to treat some conditions affecting tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bones.
Just five days ago, the team said Williamson’s rehab efforts would be cut back after tests revealed the bone needed more time to heal. He underwent foot surgery during the offseason.
“It’s been frustrating for him, his family,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said after Thursday’s practice, per ESPN. “We’re continuing to navigate adversity. We want to be encouraging and hopeful. It’s just something that he’s dealing with and we’re all dealing with as an organization. We just have to try and keep getting through it. But it’s been tough.”
The Pelicans have struggled without the 21-year-old Williamson and are 9-21 heading into Friday’s home game against the reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks.
Since becoming the top overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft after one attention-grabbing college season at Duke, Williamson has played in just 85 games in his three-year career.
An All-Star in the 2020-21 season, Williamson has career averages of 25.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
–Field Level Media
