The New Orleans Pelicans have released a statement on the status of rookie Zion Williamson.

Last week, Williamson left the Orlando bubble to tend to a family emergency. Williamson is getting daily COVID-19 tests and continues to test negative. While it's unclear when he'll return to the bubble, he plans on coming back at some point:

Before the 2019-20 season was suspended in March, Williamson was averaging 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Pelicans. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke missed the beginning of his NBA career after undergoing left knee surgery to address a meniscus issue, but he has shown he's going to be a monster with the Pelicans moving forward, assuming he stays healthy.

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The Pelicans went 10-9 with Williamson in the lineup prior to the season getting suspended following Utah Jazz All-Star center Rudy Gobert’s positive coronavirus test in March.

New Orleans will need Williamson to play during the eight seeding games if the team has any chance of making the 2020 playoffs. During the seeding games, the Pelicans will face the Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic. New Orleans and Sacramento will play each other twice.

The Pelicans are trailing the Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference standings. New Orleans is hoping to force a play-in round for the final playoff spot.