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Pelicans' Zion Williamson to Return from Hamstring Injury vs. Anthony Edwards, Wolves

Andrew PetersJanuary 7, 2025

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 06: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on November 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Amid a disastrous season for the New Orleans Pelicans, they can at least celebrate the return of star forward Zion Williamson to the court.

The team confirmed Williamson is available to play Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA

Zion is back! 💪<br><br>He is available for tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pelicans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pelicans</a> game vs the Timberwolves (7 pm CT) 🏀 <a href="https://t.co/Ra6np3QwxR">pic.twitter.com/Ra6np3QwxR</a>

The two-time All-Star has been out of the lineup since Nov. 6 while dealing with a hamstring injury. In the six games he's played, he has averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Williamson had the healthiest season of his career a year ago, logging 70 appearances and putting up 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He looked like the best version of himself in the Pelicans' play-in game when he put up 40 points and 11 boards as New Orleans fell just short of knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers.

Unfortunately for the Pelicans, Williamson suffered a hamstring at the end of that contest and was sidelined for the rest of the postseason. With no Williamson, the Pelicans advanced to the playoffs with a play-in win over the Sacramento Kings but were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.

With New Orleans trending down this season, Williamson's future with the organization could be in question. He's under contract until 2028, but the Pelicans could shop him on the trade market if they decide to commit to a rebuild.

Even with his injury history, teams are seemingly still high on Williamson. One NBA executive even said he's in the "franchise-player tier" when healthy, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks.

Now that he's healthy again, Williamson can remind everyone of his status.