Pelicans HC Willie Green: Zion Williamson setbacks 'frustrating,' 'tough'

New Orleans Pelicans All-Star forward Zion Williamson still hasn't logged a single minute during the 2021-22 NBA campaign after having offseason surgery to repair a fracture in his foot and experiencing a recent setback during what became a lengthy recovery period. 

The Pelicans confirmed on Thursday that Williamson received a biologic injection in his right foot to help the healing process but that he won't be re-evaluated for four-to-six weeks. Per Andrew Lopez of ESPN, Pelicans head coach Willie Green spoke with reporters about Williamson's status following Thursday's practice. 

"I don't necessarily want to speak for him but I have spoken to him, but it's just been frustrating for everyone," Green admitted. "It's been frustrating for him, his family. We're continuing to navigate adversity. We want to be encouraging and hopeful. It's just something that he's dealing with and we're all dealing with as an organization. We just have to try and keep getting through it. But it's been tough."

Without a healthy Williamson available, the Pelicans lost 12 of 13 games to begin the season and are now 9-21 and have the second-lowest winning percentage (.300) in the Western Conference ahead of only the Oklahoma City Thunder (8-19, .296 win percentage).