Zion leaves Orlando for 'urgent' family matter, plans to return

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson left Orlando to attend to an "urgent family medical matter," though he intends to return at a later date, the team announced Thursday.

"We fully support Zion's decision to leave the NBA campus to be with his family," Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said. "Out of respect for the Williamson family, we will have no further comment at this time."

The rookie suffered from leg cramping this week and missed parts of practice before leaving the team, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

Williamson will be subject to a mandatory four-day quarantine period if he returns. He must also test negative for COVID-19 during each day he's outside the property before being granted entry back into the bubble.

New Orleans is set to resume its 2019-20 campaign July 30 against the Utah Jazz.