Williamson: Feel fine physically, will return 'when I feel like Zion'

METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson said Tuesday that he is feeling fine physically and will return to the court «when I feel like Zion,» acknowledging the mental hurdle of rejoining the team as it embarks on a postseason run.

Williamson, who has been out since Jan. 2 while recovering from a right hamstring strain, spoke to reporters Tuesday ahead of the Pelicans' play-in matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

«It's been frustrating,» Williamson said. «Not gonna lie to you. It's been very frustrating. Not being able to play sucks, But I mean, things have gotten better. Things have gotten a lot better.»

Asked how close he is to feeling ready to play, Williamson replied, «Physically I'm fine, now it's just a matter of when I feel like Zion. I know the atmosphere I'd be entering based off like the playoff experience. So now it's just a matter of when I feel like Zion.»

What exactly does that look like?

«I don't feel like there are any specific benchmarks for being Zion,» Williamson said. «It's just a matter of like, you know, when I feel like myself. Just feeling like myself and knowing that I can go out there and have a big impact for my team.»

Williamson did not play at all last season because of a broken right foot and was in the same position last April as the Pelicans made it through the play-in tournament and earned the No. 8 seed. This season, the Pelicans also must win two games in the play-in tournament in order to secure a first-round matchup against the No. 1-seeded Denver Nuggets.

When explaining the mental hurdles of returning to game action, Williamson pointed to not wanting to negatively impact the team when he's on the court because of any lingering hesitation.

«It's a