Pelicans' Zion Williamson on Injury History: 'I Can't Escape What The World Thinks'

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been injury-prone throughout his NBA career, and he addressed the criticism regarding his injury history while speaking with reporters Tuesday.

"I can't escape what the world thinks and what people's opinions are," Williamson said, per ESPN's Marc J. Spears.

Williamson added: "The s--t sucks. I don't know how else to say it. The s--t sucks. I love this game. ... For those people who think I just want to sit on the sideline just to sit over there, I don't know why people think that. Nah, it sucks. I just want to be playing basketball."

Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, appeared in only 24 games during his rookie season due to a torn meniscus. He then appeared in 61 games during the 2020-21 season, missing time with a thumb ailment.

The 22-year-old missed the entire 2021-22 season with a foot injury and appeared in only 29 games this season due to a nagging foot ailment and a hamstring strain. He hasn't suited up since a Jan. 2 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers due to the hamstring ailment.

The Pelicans are now preparing for a play-in tournament matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. If New Orleans reaches the first round of the playoffs, it's unclear if Williamson will play.

"If I feel like Zion again," Williamson said when asked if he'll be ready for the first round.

He added: "I understand the magnitude of these games and I don't want to be out there hesitating or affecting the team in a bad way."

When Williamson is healthy, there's no denying his impact for the Pelicans. He averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 60.8 percent from the floor and 36.8 percent from deep before going down with an injury in January.

However, the Pelicans reportedly "believe he's not even close to getting back on the floor" because "his conditioning is just not there," The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania said during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show Monday.

If that's the case, it might be time for the Pelicans to start looking ahead to the offseason and the 2023-24 campaign.