Zion Williamson‘s return to the court was short-lived, as the New Orleans Pelicans have ruled him out for Wednesday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers, following his first action in over two months against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.
Despite the back-to-back situation, there’s little cause for concern, as Williamson himself told reporters he felt “fine” after his return, but wasn’t sure if the team would allow him to play two nights in a row.
“I definitely feel like my legs are already under me,” the 24-year-old forward said after his 14-point, 7-rebound performance on Tuesday.
Zion Looks Explosive in Return
In his first game since early November, Williamson showed little sign of rust. He impressed with a series of explosive dunks, including a jaw-dropping 360 windmill slam that had the crowd buzzing. As Rod Walker of NOLA.com notes, “Williamson didn’t look like a player who had been out for two months.”
Head coach Willie Green echoed the sentiment, saying, “He looked as good as I’ve seen him after being out for as long as he’s been.”
While the Pelicans fell short in the loss to Minnesota, the presence of Williamson injected a much-needed jolt of energy and optimism into a team that has struggled mightily this season, now sitting with a league-worst 7-30 record.
A Crucial Next Step: Staying Healthy
The big question now for New Orleans is not just Zion’s return to play, but his ability to stay healthy.
“It’s extremely important,” Green said regarding Williamson’s continued health. “Our medical team and performance staff, they’re working diligently, along with Zion and the whole staff, to do everything we can to make sure he has all the resources to be healthy.”
Williamson has now missed 30 games this season and will miss a 31st on Wednesday. Given his injury history, it’s increasingly unlikely he’ll hit the 51-game threshold required for his 2025/26 salary to become fully guaranteed.
The best-case scenario for the Pelicans would be for him to play in at least 41 games this season, while meeting certain weigh-in requirements to guarantee 60% of his max salary for next year.
Trade Rumors: Warriors Not Interested
As the trade deadline approaches, speculation around Zion’s future has already begun. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently dismissed the idea of the Pelicans trading Williamson, stating that New Orleans is focused on keeping him on the floor and building momentum for next year. “There’s no reason to make a great offer. The guy can’t stay on the court,” Windhorst said.
Despite some rumors linking Williamson to the Golden State Warriors, especially given their need for another star, Marc J. Spears of Andscape reported that the Warriors aren’t considering adding Zion to their roster. “Zion’s not on the Warriors’ radar,” Spears said. “You just don’t know what you’re going to get and when he’s going to be healthy, and his (cap) number’s rather high as well.”
Looking Ahead
For now, the Pelicans’ main priority is Zion’s health, with the hope that he can stay on the court and help the team make a push for a playoff spot in the years to come. The return of the explosive forward certainly provided a spark for New Orleans, but whether he can stay healthy and deliver on his potential remains the key storyline for the rest of this season and beyond.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
