Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Efficient double-double in return
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Williamson registered 24 points (11-21 FG, 2-5 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists and three blocks across 23 minutes during Friday's 136-123 victory over Utah.
Following a one-game respite in Wednesday's win over Dallas, Williamson recorded team-high numbers in points and boards in just 23 minutes of action Friday. Over his past four games since returning from a hamstring injury, the superstar forward has averaged 20.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks in 25.6 minutes. Williamson has yet to play at least 30 minutes in a game since he got back into New Orleans' lineup, so the Pelicans appear to be monitoring the oft-injured forward's workload for the time being.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Available for Friday
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Williamson is not on the injury report for Friday's game against the Jazz.
Williams missed the second half of New Orleans' back-to-back set Wednesday versus the Mavericks, but he was always expected to be cleared for Friday. In his most recent outing Tuesday against the Bulls, Williamson posted 21 points (10-14 FG, 1-4 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists and one block across 24 minutes.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Resting Wednesday
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Williamson (rest) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Mavericks.
As expected, Williamson will take a seat for the second half of New Orleans' back-to-back after posting 21 points (10-14 FG, 1-4 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists and one block across 24 minutes during Tuesday's win over the Bulls. Williamson should return to action Friday against Utah, but he'll likely take at least one game off during back-to-back sets for the rest of the season.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Teases triple-double Tuesday
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Williamson closed Tuesday's 119-113 win over the Bulls with 21 points (10-14 FG, 1-4 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists and one block across 24 minutes.
It was a strong performance from the first overall pick in the 2019 Draft, but his ability has rarely been in question, only his availability. Williamson has managed to be in the lineup for three of New Orleans' last five games after missing all of December and most of November with hamstring issues, averaging 19.7 points, 6.7 boards, 5.3 assists and 2.7 steals since his return while shooting 54.5 percent from the floor.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Balanced outing in return
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Williamson produced 16 points (5-15 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and five steals in 28 minutes during Sunday's 120-119 loss to the Celtics.
Williamson returned Sunday after serving a one-game suspension Friday, doing a little bit of everything on both ends of the court in the contest despite struggling from the field in the close battle. Williamson led all players in steals while finishing second on the team in rebounds and as one of three Pelicans with 15 or more points. Williamson also set a new season high in steals and has now recorded at least 15 points in six appearances.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Suspended Friday
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The Pelicans suspended Williamson for one game Friday for a violation of team policies.
Williamson will miss Friday's game against the 76ers after he was late for Thursday's flight to Philadelphia, per Shams Charania of ESPN. His next chance to play will come Sunday against the Celtics. With the star forward joining Herbert Jones (shoulder) on the sideline, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Javonte Green and Brandon Boston will all likely see a bump in minutes Friday.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Set to play against Philadelphia
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Williamson (rest) isn't on the injury report for Friday's game versus the 76ers.
Williamson will return to action Friday after missing Wednesday's contest due to injury maintenance. The star forward will likely reclaim his starting spot from Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Ruled out for Wednesday
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Williamson (injury maintenance) will not play Wednesday against Portland.
After making his return to the lineup Tuesday versus the Timberwolves and recording 22 points (9-15 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-9 FT), six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block in 28 minutes, Williamson will sit out the second leg of this back-to-back set as expected. With Williamson sidelined, the Pelicans could give Brandon Boston and Javonte Green additional run against Portland.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Effective in return
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Williamson (hamstring) tallied 22 points (9-15 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-9 FT), six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block in 28 minutes during Tuesday's 104-97 loss to the Timberwolves.
Williamson suited up for the first time since Nov. 6 after missing an extended period due to a hamstring injury. While the 24-year-old forward was held under 30 minutes, he looked as athletic as ever, as demonstrated by the 360-degree, double-clutch windmill dunk he unleashed early in the third quarter. Even if Williamson continues to play fewer than 30 minutes per contest while he works his way back to a full workload, he's capable of providing efficient scoring to go with useful contributions in the rebounds, assists and defensive categories. The Pelicans will wrap up a back-to-back set Wednesday versus the Trail Blazers, and Williamson could be a candidate to rest for that contest before returning to action Friday at Philadelphia.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Questionable to play Tuesday
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Williamson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
A left hamstring strain has caused Williamson to miss the Pelicans' last 27 games. Per Guillory, head coach Willie Green said Monday that Williamson has a chance to return to action this week, and that could come as early as Tuesday's Western Conference battle. In the six games prior to his injury, Williamson averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 blocks over 31.0 minutes per contest.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Still out
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Williamson (hamstring) won't play in Sunday's game versus the Wizards.
Williamson hasn't played since Nov. 6 due to a left hamstring strain. While Williamson's next chance to suit up is Tuesday's matchup with Minnesota, he will likely need to log a full-contact practice before returning to action.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Considered week-to-week
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Williamson (hamstring) will return to full practice next week and is going to be listed as week-to-week going forward, Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports reports.
Williamson hasn't played since Nov. 6 due to a left hamstring strain, but he's progressing towards a return in the near future. The Pelicans are 5-25, however, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the team worked him back into the rotation slowly. Based on this report, the earliest possible return date is Jan. 1 against Miami, but that could be too optimistic.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Continues to progress in recovery
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Williams (hamstring) was seen getting work off to the side of Thursday's shootaround, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Williamson hasn't played since Nov. 6 due to a left hamstring strain but is expected to be re-evaluated in the next few days. While the 24-year-old forward continues to progress in his recovery, there is no indication he has been cleared for full-contact practice.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Not close to returning
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Williamson (hamstring) is not close to returning and remains without a timetable, Shams Charania of ESPN said during an appearance on NBA Today. "I am told Williamson is not remotely close to coming back. Typically, it's a 4-6 week injury, but the Pelicans are bracing for him to be out beyond that point. I am told he has received multiple injections in that hamstring," Charania stated.
Given Williamson's injury history, this is an unsurprising, yet disappointing, update. With the Pelicans preparing for an absence that will likely extend past mid-December, it wouldn't be shocking to see Williamson held out until after Christmas or even into the New Year. The star forward averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 blocks per game in his six appearances this season. Williamson appeared in a career-high 70 regular-season games last season after playing in only 114 contests over his first four NBA campaigns. On the bright side, New Orleans did get positive updates on CJ McCollum (thigh), Dejounte Murray (hand), Herbert Jones (shoulder), Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Jordan Hawkins (back) recently. Ingram and Hawkins are back in the lineup after brief absences, while McCollum, Murray and Jones have been ramping up at practices.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Out indefinitely
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The Pelicans announced Saturday that Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be out indefinitely.
Williamson already missed Friday's contest against Orlando due to his hamstring injury but is now set to remain sidelined for an extended period. While the 24-year-old forward managed to make 70 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, injuries are already plaguing his 2024-25 campaign. Until Williamson is able to return, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green should continue to receive increased playing time.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Won't play against Orlando
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Williamson (hamstring) is out for Friday's game versus the Magic.
Williamson has been downgraded from questionable to out, marking his fourth absence of the season. First, he was sidelined due to an illness, then right hamstring tightness and right thigh soreness. And now, left hamstring tightness. This is certainly a concerning trend for the oft-injured forward. In Williamson's absence, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green are both candidates to start against Orlando. Williamson's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Brooklyn.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Iffy for Friday
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Williamson is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Magic due to left hamstring tightness.
Williamson returned to action Wednesday after being sidelined for New Orleans' previous two contests but is now in danger of missing Friday's game. If Williamson is unable to suit up against Orlando, Javonte Green and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are candidates to receive increased playing time.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Big second half in loss
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Williamson chipped in 29 points (9-18 FG, 11-13 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 131-122 loss to Cleveland.
The 24-year-old forward missed the prior two games due to thigh and hamstring soreness, and it looked like Williamson may have returned too soon when he played only 10 minutes in the first half before heading to the locker room to get his thigh checked out. He was back on the court to begin the second half, though, and he nearly single-handedly kept the Pelicans in the game by pouring in 23 points after the break. Injuries remain the biggest concern with Williamson, who has suited up for only six of New Orleans' first nine contests, but he's on pace for career-best production in rebounds (8.0 per game), assists (5.3) and blocks (1.2). His 22.7 points a game should rise along with his career-low 45.8 percent shooting from the floor if he can stay in the lineup and get into a rhythm.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Back in action
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Williamson (thigh) will start the second half of Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.
Williamson left Wednesday's game with left thigh soreness and, after spending some time in the locker room, has returned to the contest. Williamson's return could mean fewer minutes for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Departs for locker room
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Williamson left Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers and went back to the locker room with an undisclosed injury, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Williamson committed an intentional foul to stop the game and went straight back to the locker room with an injury. Specifics on the injury aren't known, but he can be considered questionable, at best, to return. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green stand to benefit most from Williamson's absence.
