Will Duke basketball product Zion Williamson play in All-Star Game?

Fans, players, and media voted in three former Duke basketball one-and-done talents as starters for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City on Feb. 19. Those Blue Devil All-Stars are Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson, marking the most selected starters from one college program in the same year in the event's history.

However, the chances are slim that Williamson, now a two-time All-Star, will return from injury in time to play in the game.

UPDATE: On Thursday, the Pelicans announced that Williamson will not return from injury in time to participate in the All-Star Game.

The 22-year-old, averaging 26.0 points in his fourth season with the New Orleans Pelicans since going No. 1 overall at the 2019 NBA Draft, has not been on the court since sustaining a right hamstring strain on Jan. 2.

"He's recovering, day to day, and doing more and more as we progress," Pelicans head coach Willie Green told reporters about Williamson's status on Tuesday. "I don't think we'll see [the opening-day starting five] before the All-Star break. But we'll see."

Willie Green said he doesn’t think team will see their opening day starting lineup - CJ-Herb-BI-Zion-JV - before All-Star break.

“But we’ll see.”
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) February 7, 2023

Considering how often the Pelicans have handled Zion Williamson like an egg over the years, one would think that he will only play in the All-Star Game if he returns to action for New Orleans beforehand.

At the time of his injury, the Pelicans were No. 3 in the Western Conference standings with an impressive 23-14 record after being at or near full strength across much of the first few months of the season. Now, they're 29-27 and sitting at No. 8.

Yes, they've won three straight, including Tuesday night's 116-107 home win over the Atlanta Hawks on the back of 30 points from their other Duke basketball product, forward Brandon Ingram, who has missed 35 games this season (primarily due to a lingering toe injury). Before this win streak, though, they lost 10 in a row.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.