Zion Williamson made a triumphant return to the court for the New Orleans Pelicans after a lengthy absence, scoring 22 points alongside six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. His return came after he missed 27 games due to a left hamstring strain, a setback that had limited his availability throughout the season.
Pelicans head coach Willie Green expressed enthusiasm about Williamson’s impact, stating that his presence brings a unique energy to the team. “He’s a force on the basketball court… When he plays at his best, we’re a better team,” Green remarked. Nonetheless, he indicated that Williamson would be on a minutes restriction but still opted to start him alongside guard Dejounte Murray, marking the first time the two took to the court together.
The excitement among fans was palpable as they cheered loudly when Williamson emerged for warmups and when he was introduced as a starter. In the game, after a rocky start with an early turnover, he quickly made his mark with a putback basket followed by an impressive two-handed dunk from an alley-oop pass by CJ McCollum, igniting the crowd.
Williamson, who was the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, had only participated in six of New Orleans’ 36 games before this outing, averaging an impressive 22.7 points, eight rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game when active. Up until Tuesday, the Pelicans had struggled significantly without him, with a record of 5-25 in his absence.
The Pelicans entered this match with a 2-4 record in games he had played, and were looking to build on a two-game winning streak after defeating the Washington Wizards in consecutive contests. They are scheduled to face the Portland Trail Blazers in their next game, though Coach Green did not specify if Williamson would play on back-to-back nights as he continues his recovery.
This resurgence of Williamson is a hopeful sign for the Pelicans as they strive to improve their performance this season, and his energy and talent could be key to turning their fortunes around. The team’s successes, especially with Williamson back, can reignite hope among fans for a competitive season ahead.