New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson says there is a "realistic" chance he could return from his hamstring injury in time to play in a playoff game, according to ESPN's Andrew Lopez.

Williamson was sidelined Sunday during the Pelicans' Game 1 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

New Orleans will play at least through Monday, April 29, and longer if it can extend the series and its postseason.

Williamson called the injury "super demoralizing at first," Lopez reported.

Williamson said the issue is not as severe as the hamstring injury that sidelined him for 45 games during the season prior, per Lopez.

"That is absolutely realistic, but like I said I've got to pass tests, get back to baseline and hopefully I'll be out there," Williamson told reporters.

The Pelicans announced Wednesday that Williamson had been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain after undergoing an MRI.

The team said at the time that Williamson would be "re-examined in approximately two weeks," putting his earliest potential return around a potential Game 5 on May 1.

Williamson has never before played in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The last time the Pelicans made it this far, he was sidelined by a foot injury as the Pelicans lost in six games to the Phoenix Suns in 2022.

The 2019 No. 1 pick first made an appearance in the NBA postseason April 17 during the Pelicans' play-in loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

He racked up 40 points and 11 rebounds but suffered an injury and was forced to exit with just over three minutes left in the loss.

The Pelicans will now hope to extend their series against the Thunder long enough for Williamson to make his first-round debut.

New Orleans' playoff hopes stayed alive without Williamson during the team's April 20 play-in win over the Sacramento Kings as six Pelicans players contributed double-digit point totals.

The Pelicans will need a similarly balanced offensive effort to cover for Williamson's loss as New Orleans looks to even the series in Game 2. Tipoff takes place in Oklahoma City on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET.