Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Double-double in Saturday's loss
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Williamson racked up 28 points (11-20 FG, 6-8 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 26 minutes during Saturday's 123-92 loss to the Hornets.
Williamson had arguably his best outing Saturday since returning from a two-month absence due to a hamstring injury, during which he led both teams in scoring and finished second in rebounds behind Moussa Diabate (13). In the five games he's played since his return, Williamson has averaged 22.2 points on 54.1 percent shooting, 9.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks over 25.7 minutes per game. He'll continue to be brought back slowly while improving his conditioning, so the Pelicans' injury report for Monday's game against the Raptors will be worth monitoring.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Good to go Saturday
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Williamson (conditioning) isn't on the injury report for Saturday's game versus the Hornets.
Williamson will return to action Saturday after sitting out New Orleans' previous contest due to an illness and return-to-competition reconditioning. The 24-year-old forward is averaging 22.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks in 26.4 minutes across his last five appearances.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Expected to play Saturday
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Williamson (conditioning) is expected to play Saturday against the Grizzlies, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
After missing Monday's 123-119 win over the Jazz with an illness, Williamson's absence in Friday's 139-126 loss to the Grizzlies was attributed to "return-to-competition reconditioning." The power forward seems to have made enough progress in regaining conditioning to suit up in the second leg of the back-to-back set, though his status likely won't be confirmed until a few hours before the 7 p.m. ET tipoff. Considering that Williamson had averaged 25.8 minutes per game in his four appearances earlier in January following a two-month absence due to a hamstring injury, he'll likely be operating with a playing-time restriction Saturday if he suits up.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Won't play Friday
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Williamson is out for Friday's game versus the Grizzlies due to a return to competition reconditioning.
Williamson was deemed questionable for Wednesday's game against the Bucks due to an illness before the game was postponed. He'll remain out for the first leg of New Orleans' back-to-back set Friday, but Williamson appears to have recovered from the illness and just needs more time to rebuild conditioning. He could be ready to play Saturday versus Charlotte.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Wednesday's game postponed
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The NBA announced that Wednesday's game between the Bucks and Pelicans has been postponed.
Due to a snow storm in New Orleans, the Pelicans were forced to postpone this game, with several roads in the area closed as a result of the extreme weather conditions. Williamson was considered questionable for this contest, but will now get a couple of extra days to recover for Friday's game versus Memphis.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Iffy for Wednesday
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Williamson (illness) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.
Williamson missed Monday's game against the Jazz with an illness and may be trending toward missing Wednesday's game against the Bucks. If the star forward can't go, the Pelicans could turn to Javonte Green, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Daniel Theis, especially if Yves Missi (illness) doesn't play, as he is also listed as questionable against Milwaukee.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Ruled out Monday
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Williamson (illness) will not play Monday against the Jazz.
Williamson was previously carrying a questionable tag, so he can be considered day-to-day going forward. With Yves Missi (illness) also out, the Pelicans will be thin in the frontcourt. Javonte Green, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Daniel Theis will likely see increased run Monday night.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Questionable for Monday
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Williamson is questionable for Monday's game against the Jazz due to an illness.
Williamson is dealing with a non-COVID illness, but the questionable tag suggests a decision on his status will be made closer to Monday's 8 p.m. ET tipoff. The star forward has made four appearances this month, averaging 20.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
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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 are monitoring the oft-injured forward's workload for now.
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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: Set to play Tuesday
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Williamson (hamstring) is available to play Tuesday against the Timberwolves.
Williamson will make his return to action after missing the past 27 games with a left hamstring strain. Given that the 7-29 Pelicans find themselves well removed from playoff contention, Williamson will be eased back with a minute restriction, at least for a handful of games. Tuesday's game is the first leg of a back-to-back set as well, so the team may hold Williamson out Wednesday against Portland. Prior to missing time with the injury, Williamson appeared in just six games and averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 blocks in 31.0 minutes.
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.
