Things couldn’t have started much worse for the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021-22 season.
The Pels are just 1-6, tied for the worst record in the NBA, and still have no idea when they are going to get Zion Williamson back from injury.
He will have scans soon to determine his status, but it could still be weeks before the Pelicans get their star back and it might be weeks after that before he is 100 percent.
In other words, if the New Orleans Pelicans want to have any chance to make a run this season, they are going to have to stay afloat without Zion Williamson, which isn’t going to be easy considering what they face in November.
The Pelicans will be entering one of the toughest stretches of their schedule and potentially doing it without their two best players.
New Orleans Pelicans: Injuries have stalled the 2021-22 season
Obviously, losing Zion Williamson for any amount of time was going to be tough for the Pelicans to overcome, as their entire offense is built around him and doesn’t work when he’s not in the lineup.
Josh Hart has also missed time due to injury, though it appears he is now back. The Pels were dealt another blow when Brandon Ingram had to miss the last game vs. the Knicks with a knee contusion that has him listed as day-to-day.
If Ingram has to miss any more games the New Orleans Pelicans are going to be in real trouble, as their offense has been bad enough with him in it and without him just doesn’t have the firepower to compete.
Even if the Pels can get back to full strength this month, they are facing a brutal schedule.