New Orleans Pelicans fans received some good news today with Zion Williamson returning to basketball activities, Shams Charania and Will Guillory of the Athletic reports.
Williamson is returning to New Orleans after rehabbing in Portland. This could mean he’ll return to action before the end of the regular season.
Williamson hasn’t played this season after undergoing a foot surgery during the offseason. Since May, Zion hasn’t seen any NBA action after suffering multiple setbacks in his recovery.
While he was medically cleared to return to full basketball activities in November, Williamson was shut down in December due to persistent soreness and a scan that showed “regression in the bone healing.”
Pelicans’ Zion Williamson is returning to New Orleans after spending time in Portland for his foot rehab, sources tell me and @WillGuillory. Williamson is cleared to progress in basketball activities. Pelicans have won four straight games and are in playoff race. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 5, 2022
Despite the former first-overall pick situation, the Pelicans are still fighting for a play-in and a potential postseason place. They have been on a four-game winning streak since the All-Star break.
Zion Williamson is eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason. It could be helpful for Pelicans to see their superstar back prior to agreeing to a potential multiyear deal.
Last season, Williamson led the Pelicans in scoring with 27.0 points per game to go with 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
The Pelicans tried to improve their roster in the trade deadline in hope of creating a winning roster around Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
They acquired CJ McCollum from Portland to help the team’s scoring. In the last four games, New Orleans is the third-best offense in the league putting up 121.9 points per 100 possessions.
At the same time, they are the best defense, allowing just 95.0 points per 100 possessions. The Pelicans are 10th in the West with a 27-36 record-0.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Pelicans will face Denver Sunday hoping to add to their winning streak after blowing out Utah on Friday.
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