After playing in just six games to start the new NBA season, New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is currently sidelined with what the team is calling a left hamstring strain.

The Pelicans made an official announcement on this injury after Williamson appeared on the injury report with different lists over the course of several games.

Via Pelicans on November 9: “The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that forward Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain. Medical imaging taken this morning confirmed the injury. Williamson will be out indefinitely and further updates will be provided as appropriate.

Williamson played in 70 games last season for the first time in his career. Playing in just 24 games in his rookie season (2020), Williamson then played in 61 games in 2021 before missing the entire 2022 campaign. After this one-season absence with just 29 appearances in 2023, Williamson has really started to cope to the heat of the national media for his lack of availability.

Williamson’s 70-game campaign last season was a milestone for him, but now that he’s already dealing with more injury issues to start this season, the narrative has started to shift back. This was seen recently in comments from ESPN analyst and 2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins.

“A few years ago AD had the nickname ‘street clothes’ or whatever it was, we need to start calling Zion ‘pajamas’ because he’s just as bad,” Perkins said. “At the end of the day, if you’re an organization like the Pelicans and you’re hoping to have championship aspirations, Zion can’t be the face of your team.”

Perkins has faced backlash from NBA fans who feel the comments are unfair.

Via @big_business_: “He played 70 games last year”

Via @Crenshaw_White2: “He played 70 games last year. Why did we start clowning around on injury prone players like they want to get hurt”

Via @Kofie: “I played 70 games last year, tried everything he could in the play-ins, unfortunately he got injured and now we’re back at it”

Via @Jordan__3210: “I despise the fact that ESPN extended this guy, it really doesn’t add anything to basketball commentary”

Although Williamson has had numerous injury issues, fans don’t think Perkins is right here.

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