Sources: Zion Williamson (hamstring) not close to return

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left hamstring and is not close to returning to action, sources told ESPN on Friday.

Williamson, who has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring strain on Nov. 6, will be out for a longer period of time, sources said. The Pelicans have been preparing for Williamson to be sidelined for at least four to six weeks, which leaves him out until mid-December, but his absence could extend beyond that as he rehabilitates a body part that has suffered multiple stresses in the last few years. .

Williamson has been limited to just six of New Orleans’ 17 games this year.

The injury was a devastating blow for the Pelicans and Williamson, who team officials say has been in the best shape of his career. Since the Pelicans selected Williamson first overall out of Duke in the 2019 draft, the 6-foot-6, 284-pound power forward has missed 211 of a possible 401 regular-season games.

Injuries have been the story of the season so far for New Orleans. Key offseason acquisition Dejounte Murray broke his hand in the team’s season opener, while CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III and José Alvarado have also been sidelined at points this season. .

New Orleans played Golden State in an NBA Cup game on Friday night and lost 112-108. The Pelicans (4-13) have lost four straight and 10 of their last 11 games.