NBA Rumors: Zion Williamson Sparks Return To Action Speculation With Cryptic Post

New Orleans Pelicans fans have been yearning for Zion Williamson's NBA return.

Williamson has not played a single game this season after a dominant second year in the league. Recent reports stated that the former Duke University star is currently nursing a foot injury, but there is no specific timeframe yet for his possible comeback.

While sidelined, Williamson posted on Instagram Story a photo of himself in his Pelicans jersey, bringing the ball up in the middle of the court. The cryptic post caused quite a stir as some fans view it as “a signal that Williamson will be back soon” given the All-Star forward seldom shares such types of posts, Fox 8 New Orleans reported.

Based on Williamson's caption, it turned out that it was actually from an old post from May 23, 2021, “commemorating his second season in the NBA,” the report said.

However, some of Williamson’s followers were still convinced that the 21-year-old was hinting at his return.

“New Instagram story from Zion Williamson, featuring a picture of himself bringing the ball up the court in a New Orleans Pelicans uniform,” a fan wrote. “Could good news regarding a return to action be on the horizon?”

“Zion [hasn’t posted] on Instagram in 6 months. [I] don’t care what y’all saying, that means something,” another fan commented.

An earlier report said that the Pelicans have sent Williamson to Oregon to continue his rehabilitation and that the team is supervising his progress. However, it was later reported that there was no Pelicans staff working with Williamson at the location.

No Pelicans officials accompanied Williamson on the trip, and the 21-year-old star "has been working with Jasper Bibbs, a strength coach who in August was fired after less than two months" at Louisiana State University, Christian Clark of The Times-Picayune reported, citing unnamed sources.

It has yet to be determined when Williamson can make his return, and the only thing concrete is that he has been undergoing a “very difficult process” at this point.

"As you can imagine, this has been a very difficult process for me," Williamson said. "I know there's work to be done in my recovery before I can safely return to the court, but I will continue to put in the time necessary so I can get back on the floor with my team and represent Pelicans fans and the city of New Orleans at the highest level.”

"Basketball means everything to me, and I am thankful for the Pelicans organization and everyone who has surrounded me with love and support throughout this journey--my family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff, fans, and everybody who has stood behind me and uplifted me when I needed it most," he added.