NBA Rumors: Zion Williamson & Pelicans Have "Difference Of Opinion" On His Readiness To Play

The New Orleans Pelicans' season is on the line Friday night as they face the Los Angeles Clippers in a Play-In elimination game. The winner moves on to the first round of the NBA playoffs; the loser goes home. Zion Williamson will not be in the lineup for the Pelicans, but a report today suggests that he believes he's ready.

Pelicans and Zion have a “difference of opinion” on if he’s healthy enough to play following his foot injury, per @_Andrew_Lopez pic.twitter.com/6xycTFP5rV

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 15, 2022

"According to multiple sources, there's currently a difference of opinion between the Pelicans and Williamson on whether he is healthy enough to play," reports ESPN's Andrew Lopez. 

While Zion has been showing off a number of sick dunks on social media in an attempt to indicate his readiness, Lopez says "the team maintains that the bone in Williamson's foot hasn't healed enough for him to take the floor." As the regular season ended last week, Zion was doing 3-on-3 work, but the Pelicans "are still maintaining that Williamson isn't ready to play in games."

In fact, about the only way they see Zion being ready for game action is if the Pels make "a deep run" in the playoffs. Seeing as they'd be facing the NBA's top team, the Phoenix Suns, in the first round should they get there, that seems unlikely. 

Williamson showed up to Media Day in training camp last October revealing that he had broken a bone in his foot in July, but hoped to be ready to return early in the season. Instead, he's suffered a number of setbacks, and a number of questions about his conditioning, and he's remained out all season. 

Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports