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Zion Williamson frustrated with criticism over availability, says ‘I just want to play’

Griffin Crest / NBA / April 13, 2023

Zion Williamson frustrated with criticism over availability, says ‘I just want to play’

The New Orleans Pelicans are back in the postseason once again, but are without their star big man in Zion Williamson. Williamson has only played a total of 29 regular season games this season, and that’s his concern. It frustrates Williamson with his availability and he just wants to play, according to theScore.

It seems like Williamson just can’t stay healthy. The explosive big man has only played a total of 114 regular season games in three years in New Orleans.

The Pelicans Need to Play Zion Williamson

“It’s tough. I can’t lie,” Williamson said Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez, via theScore. “From my perspective, I just want to play basketball. I want to hoop, I want to play the game I love. But the reality of it is whether I check my phone, whether I’m just watching TV, no matter what it is, I can’t really escape what the world thinks, what people’s opinions are. So, it’s frustrating.”

In his rehab, Williamson has faced some mental and physical struggles that have forced him away from the NBA court.

“When I go to make certain moves, there is that hesitation,” Williamson said, via theScore. “Sometimes there’s not and sometimes there is. And I understand the magnitude of these games coming up and I don’t want to be out there hesitating or doing something that may affect my team in a bad way.”

Zion Williamson wants to remain in New Orleans

The Pelicans big man has faced some major setbacks all season long, including a hamstring injury that he has been dealing with since Jan. 2. In that time, Williamson missed a total of 45 games in the Pelicans’ final playoff push. At one point, when Williamson was healthy, the Pelicans led the Western Conference. Now, they’re on the outside looking in, being seeded as the ninth seed. The New Orleans Pelicans are facing the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday night to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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