Will Zion Williamson's body hold up in the NBA bubble? Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

Sports injury doctor: Zion Williamson is 'in a race against his own body'

By Blake Harper | Last updated 8/6/20

The Pelicans are fighting for a chance to make the playoffs but they have only had limited access to rookie sensation Zion Williamson, who has been on a minutes restriction in the Orlando bubble.

While Zion has still proven to be a force on the court, some fans have said that Williamson is not playing with the same explosiveness he had in college and earlier in the season. It's a speculation that has recently been supported by Dr. Brian Sutterer, who believes that Zion is in "a race against his own body."

"He’s in a race against his own body," Dr. Sutterer told the Athletic. "If you go watch his Duke highlights compared to now, the difference is profound. In my opinion, his athleticism and conditioning have regressed substantially. He’s less explosive, less conditioned, slower on defense, has already had a portion of his meniscus removed from his knee after an injury, and he’s still under close monitoring from the medical staff."

Of course, it's worth noting that Sutterer is not on the Pelicans' medical staff. In fact, he hasn't had any interaction with Zion. He's a sports injury doctor who primarily shares his opinions on YouTube.

However, could Sutterer be right about Zion's long-term health? After all, Zion is believed to weigh around 285 pounds, which is much more mass than most 6-foot-6 players. Could his explosive style of play be unsustainable for someone his size? Some clearly believe so, given his unfortunate injury history despite his young age.

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