Zion Williamson not close to Pelicans return in brutal injury blow

The Pelicans’ rough start to the season continues to get worse.Zion Williamson has been sidelined — since last appearing in a game on Nov.

6 — with a hamstring injury that now appears more serious than initially thought.ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday that Williamson has “undergone multiple treatments on his left hamstring” and is “not close” to a return to the court.

The oft-injured star is one of many Pelicans this year who have spent time away due to various setbacks.The Pelicans are 4-12 ahead of their home contest Friday against the Warriors.

Williamson has been limited to six games this season.Starting guard CJ McCollum, who is out again on Friday night with a thigh injury, has only played in four games this season.His backcourt teammate, DeJounte Murray, got injured in the first game of the season, breaking his hand.

Jordan Hawkins, who had been getting extended minutes in McCollum’s absence, has only played eight games due to a back injury.Jose Alvarado, who had also been seeing more minutes due to the injuries, has been out due to a hamstring injury, which could sideline him for several more weeks.

Starting forward Herb Jones has only played four games due to an injured shoulder.And now, Williamson is set to continue missing extended time.

Williamson played 70 games last season, the healthiest of his career, but was injured during the play-in round and didn’t participate in the Pelicans’ four-game sweep at the hands of the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.He has been limited to 190 regular season appearances since being the No.

1 overall pick in 2019, playing at least 30 games just twice....