Zion Williamson Cleared for Contact as Pelicans Seek Stability

The New Orleans Pelicans received much-needed good news Wednesday as the team announced that Zion Williamson has been cleared to resume on-court basketball activities with contact. The former No. 1 pick had missed the past five games with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain suffered on Nov. 4, leaving the Pelicans without their leading scorer during a difficult stretch of the season.

Williamson’s absence coincided with a three-game losing streak and further compounded the team’s growing list of injuries. New Orleans has struggled to generate offensive momentum without him, dropping to 2–9 amid one of the slowest starts in the Western Conference.

Before the injury, Williamson was off to one of the most balanced starts of his career, averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His ability to pressure defenses and initiate offense has been central to New Orleans’ system, making his return to contact drills a significant step forward.

The Pelicans, still searching for consistency and healthier rotations, will now wait to see how Williamson responds in the coming days as they look to halt their early-season slide.

1. Injuries Mount as Pelicans Search for Answers

Williamson’s return to contact work comes at a time when the Pelicans are navigating one of the thinnest lineups in the league. Jordan Poole has missed four straight games with a left quad strain, removing another primary scoring option from the backcourt. His absence has forced coach Willie Green to rely heavily on younger guards and fringe rotation pieces. The team has also been without Dejounte Murray, who continues rehabbing from a torn Achilles suffered late last January. Murray was expected to be a stabilizing presence upon his eventual return, particularly on the defensive end, but there is still no firm timetable for when he will be ready. Without three of their top offensive creators, New Orleans has struggled to generate pace and spacing. Opponents have frequently crowded the paint, daring the Pelicans’ supporting cast to beat them from outside—a challenge that has led to inconsistent results. The burden on the remaining starters has been substantial, and the coaching staff has worked to balance competitive lineups with long-term player health.

2. Williamson’s Impact on Both Ends

Even in a limited sample this season, Williamson demonstrated why his return could immediately stabilize New Orleans. His improved playmaking—highlighted by 4.6 assists per game—has taken pressure off the team’s guards, allowing the offense to flow more naturally through multiple points of initiation. Defensively, Williamson’s 2.0 steals per game reflect sharper anticipation and greater commitment on that end of the floor. His ability to disrupt passing lanes and initiate transition opportunities has been one of the Pelicans’ few early bright spots. With Williamson expected to return to the lineup soon, the Pelicans will benefit from the downhill force and physicality that only he can provide. His presence opens driving lanes for teammates, unlocks New Orleans’ transition game and creates mismatches that few defenses can consistently solve. The Pelicans’ challenge moving forward will be re-integrating him without overextending his workload—something that has been a concern throughout his young career.

3. A Chance to Reset

At 2–9, the Pelicans are in urgent need of a spark. The season’s early stretch has been marred by injuries, inconsistency and a lack of continuity, but Williamson’s return offers a potential turning point. New Orleans will also hope for clearer updates on Poole and Murray in the coming weeks as they work toward restoring their full rotation. Poole’s scoring punch and Murray’s defensive steadiness remain crucial pieces of the long-term puzzle. For now, the coaching staff plans to monitor Williamson closely, gradually ramping up his workload as his hamstring responds to full basketball movements. The team’s ability to manage his minutes while leaning on his strengths may determine whether the Pelicans can climb out of their early-season hole. As the roster begins to heal, New Orleans will look to reset its identity and build toward steadier play over the next month.