Zion Williamson Leaves the NBA Bubble; How Does this Impact the Pelicans?
Zion Williamson announced that he is leaving the NBA bubble in Orlando due to a family emergency. The Pelicans stated that he would return to the team, “at a later date.”
No one will question Williamson for leaving the bubble for a family emergency. However, there will be questions surrounding his availability once her returns. Right now, the Pelicans are three and a half games back of the eight seed amid the NBA restart.
If New Orleans wants to make the playoffs, then they will need all hands on deck, including Williamson. He will return to the NBA bubble at some point, but he could miss a few games, which hurt them early on.
Protocols for a Return
For Williamson to return to play, there are a few ways to do so. If he returns, then he can quarantine in a hotel room, or anywhere in the NBA bubble for 10 days and possibly up to 14 given the league protocols.
The NBA does have “excused absences” for the NBA bubble. If a player has to leave for a death in the family, the birth of a child, or any other absence allowed by the league, then there are protocols for players to follow to return earlier.
During each day off-campus, if a player undergoes a daily PCR test and returns negative test results each time, or if the player leaves for an extended absence but undergoes a daily PCR test and returns a negative test result for at least the seven days preceding his return to campus, then the player’s quarantine on the campus will be four days.
Williamson will have to quarantine for 10 days due to his urgent departure. The league did not evaluate why he left, which is why his quarantine will be extended.
Does this Affect the Odds?
As of writing this, the NBA is 12 days away from opening night, which includes the Pelicans in the first game back from the hiatus. If Williamson wants to be able to play opening night on July 30, then he will have to be back in the Orlando bubble by July 19. This will give him exactly 10 days to spare before their first game.
If he is not back by the end of the weekend, New Orleans will have to go at least one game without him. This could extend in multiple games, depending on his return. As of writing this, the Pelicans are +310 to be the eighth seed in the West, according to FanDuel.
New Orleans does have a favorable schedule as four of their eight games are against non-playoff teams and two of them being against the current eight seeds in both conferences. However, they start with the Jazz and Clippers, who are the three and two seeds in the West. The Pelicans will need to win one of the two games if they want a shot at a playoff spot.
However, if Zion does not return until next week, the New Orleans will be out their star rookie, which could put their playoff chances in jeopardy. Zion will need to be available for all eight games if they want to make up the 3.5 game deficit they face.
The Pelicans are +6500 to win the Western Conference, according to FanDuel.
(News Source : Lineups )
