The New Orleans Pelicans are potentially on the verge of a significant boost with reports indicating that Zion Williamson could return to the court sooner than initially anticipated. Following a practice session on Saturday, interim head coach James Borrego announced that Williamson will be classified as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls.
Williamson has been sidelined since December 2, when he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right hip adductor strain. At that time, an ESPN report indicated that he would be out for an extended period and would undergo a re-evaluation after three weeks. However, just 11 days into this timeline, Williamson’s pronounced recovery has propelled him into consideration for immediate gameplay.
The forward has missed the last five games but has participated in 10 of the Pelicans’ 26 contests this season, showcasing impressive stats with an average of 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. His previous injury issues stemmed from a hamstring problem, further complicating his season.
During a previous update regarding Williamson’s condition, Borrego expressed optimism about the player’s eventual return. “Nobody wants to be on the floor more than Zion,” he remarked. “He’s got love for the game, loves this city, wears this logo with pride as a badge. He wants to be out there battling with his teammates more than anybody. More than anything right now, he’s disappointed. He’s here to support us and we are here to support him.”
Looking ahead, if Williamson is cleared to play, it could significantly impact the team’s performance as they take on the Chicago Bulls. Following that game, the Pelicans will return home to face the Houston Rockets on Thursday, further adding to the anticipation around Williamson’s potential return to action.
