It's unclear when Zion Williamson will return from injury, but the New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly willing to try some unique ways to get their top draft pick out on the floor.
Williamson has been out since before the regular season started after undergoing surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his right knee. According to a new report from ESPN, the team is "trying to re-teach him how to walk and run differently — working on the kinetic chain of his body."
Williamson told ESPN that he's ready to play, but trusts the organization's plans for him. Though there's no set time for him to return to the court, Williamson has participated in shooting and group drills. He hasn't done any 5-on-5 or 3-on-3 drills yet, however, and the Pelicans are trying to be as cautious as possible.
"After the Pelicans have finished a shootaround or practice in the past week, Williamson has stayed back with a group of coaches and staffers and worked for anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes, walking through plays and running up and down the court," ESPN reports.
A source told ESPN that the Pelicans would prefer Williamson to participate in "at least two or three practices doing full work" before he graces the court again. Those practices won't happen until after the new year.
"He is making progress. He is in rehab," Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry said of his star player. "He is doing everything that he's supposed to do and he's moving forward toward playing."
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