The New Orleans Pelicans’ season may feel over, but it’s only over in spirit. The reality is that the Pelicans still have the majority of the season ahead of them, even though the rest of the year might feel meaningless. Regardless of who is available or still on the team, New Orleans will have to play 82 games like every other team in the league.

The franchise was clearly hit by injuries and at one point was missing seven of its highest-paid players. Because of all of these absences, starting with Trey Murphy III’s hamstring strain that he suffered during the offseason, the Pelicans fell into a hole early in the season that became too deep for them to at least realistically climb out of.

New Orleans could choose to play out the rest of the season and shift their pursuit of a top draft pick instead of a playoff spot, but that doesn’t mean they can just stop playing or that the injuries won’t stop them affect. There have been too many trips to the infirmary for the Pelicans to keep track, but here are the latest injury report updates for New Orleans.

Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson was initially sidelined with various unclear leg injuries before the Pelicans finally announced that he had suffered a hamstring strain. ESPN’s Shams Charania had reported that his injury severity typically has a 4-6 week timeline, but the team expected him to be out longer.

The team have now stated that Zion has “made good progress through rehabilitation” and will receive a re-evaluation in two weeks. He last played on November 6th. The planned re-evaluation will take place exactly six weeks after his last appearance, meaning the injury will keep him out longer than would be expected if he were out for any longer with a hamstring strain of this severity.

Jose Alvarado

Jose Alvarado also suffered a hamstring injury and last appeared in a game on November 11. The Pelicans parroted the same news about Alvarado as they did about Zion, saying his rehab went well and he would also be re-evaluated in two weeks. That’s five weeks of him being on the sidelines.

Jordan Hawkins

Jordan Hawkins was diagnosed with a lumbar annulus, which sounds absolutely terrible. Fortunately, this is a fairly common disease, although it mainly occurs in older people. This is essentially a small tear in the outer layer of an intervertebral disc. Many people who suffer from an annular fissure have no symptoms, but Hawkins has struggled with excruciating back pain all season.

The team has stated that he will be re-evaluated in a week. Hopefully he comes back fully prepared and able to continue his spectacular second season.

Questionable pelicans

New Orleans has listed a number of players as questionable for Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. Brandon Ingram is questionable with a calf strain, Herb Jones could return from a shoulder injury and Yves Missi could be available again from a high ankle sprain. The Pelicans could continue their run against Phoenix with a completely depleted roster or see a largely healthy team for the first time in a long time.