Zion Williamson Rumors: Injury Return 'Not Close' amid Extended Pelicans Absence

New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson's hamstring injury doesn't appear to be progressing much amid his month-long absence.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Williamson, who hasn't played since Nov. 6, is "not close to coming back."

Charania noted that the Pelicans got some "good news" recently, as he was able to get back onto the court over the weekend. However, he did "very, very light activity," and New Orleans will take a gradual approach to getting him back into playing form.

The injury woes that have plagued Williamson since he entered the NBA as the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft were not expected to persist this year. Charania noted that the 24-year-old was in the best shape of his career at the start of the year before injuring his hamstring.

"It is tough for Zion because he came into the season, he was the lightest he's weighed since his rookie year, he came in great shape, and to have him hurt already, that hamstring has been a chronic issue for him, he's had multiple hamstring strains over the last few years, he can't catch a break," Charania said.

Williamson appeared in six games this season and averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 blocks. His 45.2 percent shooting from the field marked the first time in his career that he's connected on less than 57 percent of his shots. The Pelicans (4-18) were 2-4 in games he played.

New Orleans also endured injuries to key players like Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum, which has led to their disappointing start to the season. Both Murray and McCollum are back in the lineup, but the team's losing streak extended to nine straight games with a 124-112 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.

The Pelicans will have to continue getting used to life without Williamson when they return to action on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns (11-8).