Pelicans’ Zion Williamson cleared to participate in 1-on-1 drills after posting monster dunk on Instagram

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson was cleared to take part in one-on-one drills on Wednesday, head coach Willie Inexperienced informed reporters. 

Williamson was captured on video taking part in one-on-one with participant improvement coach Corey Brewer Wednesday on the Pelicans’ follow facility, in keeping with The Athletic. In a single video, he was seen beating Brewer to the basket and dunking over him with two fingers.

“We nonetheless must watch out with how a lot he does. Simply because he is nonetheless going by means of the therapeutic course of,” Inexperienced told reporters. “However, you understand, we’re glad that he is getting higher … I do know it feels good for him to lastly be capable to get on the ground and do a number of the issues he is doing.”

Williamson was cleared to take part someday after he posted an Instagram story of himself throwing down a monster dunk on the Pelicans facility. In that clip, he threw the ball off the backboard, caught it, introduced the ball between his legs, and dunked along with his left hand. 

The drills are doubtless an encouraging signal for the Pelicans and their followers, as Williamson hasn’t been seen a lot after he suffered a fractured foot previous to the summer season league final yr. Williamson not too long ago returned to the New Orleans space after spending time in Portland for his foot rehab, experiences stated. 

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands subsequent to the bench in the course of the third quarter of an NBA recreation in opposition to the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Heart on March 15, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
(Picture by Sean Gardner/Getty Photographs) (Picture by Sean Gardner/Getty Photographs)

The Pelicans revealed the harm on the primary day of coaching camp in September, saying they hoped he’d be able to play by the regular-season opener on Oct. 20. Williamson initially agreed with that timeline, which has since proved overly optimistic by not less than 5 months. He reportedly suffered quite a few setbacks.

PELICANS: ZION WILLIAMSON’S FOOT IMPROVING, BUT NO TIMETABLE

Earlier this month, the Pelicans stated his restoration improved to the purpose the place he was capable of steadily resume basketball actions, nevertheless, the staff gave no timetable for when he may play in a recreation.

“So far as proper now, the replace is the replace. Z remains to be out indefinitely,” Inexperienced stated. “We’re nonetheless working in the direction of being totally wholesome, which he isn’t. However he is getting there, and we’ll replace you guys at that time — if we get to that time.”

New Orleans Pelicans ahead Zion Williamson (1) dunks the ball throughout a NBA recreation between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers at Smoothie King Heart in New Orleans, LA on Mar 01, 2020.
(Picture by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)

Williamson has performed in simply 85 video games for the Pelicans for the reason that staff chosen the previous Duke Blue Satan first general within the 2019 NBA draft. He has been extraordinarily productive when wholesome, averaging seven rebounds and 25.7 factors per recreation throughout his NBA profession. 

New Orleans (30-42) is at present tenth within the Western Convention standings. 

The Related Press contributed to this report