What Is Zion Williamson's Timeline to Return to Pelicans After Adductor Injury?

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson will reportedly miss "extended time" after suffering a right adductor injury.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday he will be reevaluated in three weeks.

Injuries have been a storyline a number of times during Williamson's career, including early this season when he suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him. 

Since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NBA draft, the Duke product has never played more than 70 games in a season and surpassed the 30-game mark in just two of his first six years.

That stretch included when he was sidelined for the entirety of the 2021-22 campaign.

When healthy, Williamson is the franchise cornerstone for the Pelicans who is a double-double threat every time he steps on the floor. He was an All-Star in his second season in the league and again in 2022-23 even though he played just 29 games.

The forward is averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game this season.

While the Pelicans don't have anyone else in the frontcourt who can realistically replicate Williamson's production if he is out, look for the combination of Derik Queen, Kevon Looney and Saddiq Bey to see more playing time.