“We are Not Going to Take Any Crazy Decisions”: Pelican’s Coach Unsure of Zion Williamson and His Return

Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans power forward, has just returned to practice with his team on Tuesday. This comes after he reached the NBA campus on Friday and had to stay quarantined for four days. William had to leave Orlando to cater to a family Emergency In Florida. He left on July 16 and came back this Friday on July 24.

So far, the Pelicans have come out victorious in all three of their scrimmages, even without Zion. This included their face-off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, whom they beat with a score of 124-103. Zion Williamson has not been a part of the regular season as well. However, the team seems to be doing fine without him.

Before Zion returned, the Pelicans were 11-5 in the final 16 games and even won a game after he returned in mid-February.

Zion Williamson will play when he’s ready

The head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans addressed the media about Zion Williamson and his return to the court on Thursday. Alvin Gentry was asked questions about Zion’s practice sessions to which he said, “ He did some light stuff, you know. We got some 3-0 things and then 5-0 zero things up and down and things like that, but from a physical standpoint he didn’t get involved in any other problem.” He also mentions that the practice session on Wednesday will decide whether he will be able to play on Thursday in the seeding games opener against Utah Jazz.

The following question is about who decides whether he is eligible to play against Jazz. Gentry says that it’s Zion himself, the team and the medical staff.

“The medical staff will evaluate and see where he is and see if it makes sense for him to go out and play,” Gentry said.

The team will not make any hasty decisions

A few minutes into the interview, Gentry is asked whether making Zion Williamson play or not is a tough decision.  He says that he does not want to hamper the team in the long term by making him play if he isn’t ready, making it clear that no crazy decisions will be made.

“It really isn’t a tough decision, guys. If he’s ready to play, he’ll play. If he’s not, we won’t play him,” Gentry said. “You’re not going to risk anything long term for something very, very short term. We’ll see and evaluate tomorrow where he is. The medical people will, and so will Zion. Zion will tell us how he feels. From there, we’ll go and see and make decisions on what is best for him and what is best for our team.“

The decision to let Zion play will only be evident when the Pelican’s go up against the Utah Jazz on Thursday.

Catch the full interview below:

SOURCE: Alvin Gentry on Zion Williamson’s return: ‘If he is ready to play, he will play’