Zion’s Return to the Starting Five Shines Despite Pelicans’ Continued Slide

The New Orleans Pelicans arrived in Chicago on Wednesday night searching for traction after four straight losses. By the middle of the fourth quarter, that goal appeared increasingly out of reach, even as Zion Williamson repeatedly imposed his will in the paint.

One sequence captured the contrast. Catching the ball on the wing, Williamson powered past rookie Matas Buzelis for a layup that halted a 7–0 Bulls run, momentarily stabilizing New Orleans during a game that had begun to slip away.

The effort, however, was not enough to change the outcome. Chicago pulled away late to secure a 134–118 win, leaving the Pelicans with yet another loss in what has become a trying season.

For Williamson, the night offered a reminder of what he can be when healthy — a force capable of bending defenses — even as the team around him continues to search for consistency.

1. A Dominant Individual Night

Williamson finished with 31 points, seven rebounds and three assists in just over 29 minutes, a workload carefully managed following a recent return from injury. His efficiency stood out. He converted 12 of 19 shots from the field, attacked the rim relentlessly and drew fouls at a steady clip, hitting seven of nine attempts at the line. Time and again, Chicago had no clear answer when Williamson decided to drive. Whether isolated on the wing or catching the ball near the top of the key, he consistently generated paint touches. Yet the Pelicans could not turn those moments into sustained runs, a familiar problem for a roster that has struggled to pair individual brilliance with collective rhythm.

2. Working Back into Form

Wednesday marked only Williamson’s second game back in the starting lineup since returning from an adductor strain that sidelined him for five games. Interim head coach James Borrego initially brought Williamson off the bench following his return, opting for a gradual reintroduction rather than immediately restoring him to a full-time starting role. The approach reflects the organization’s caution after years in which injuries have limited Williamson’s availability. While his production has rarely been questioned, durability remains a central concern. Through 18 appearances this season, he is averaging 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game, shooting nearly 55 percent from the field — numbers that underline his status as the team’s most dynamic offensive presence.

3. Team Struggles Persist

Despite Williamson’s form, the Pelicans’ broader picture remains bleak. The loss to Chicago dropped New Orleans to 8–27, leaving it at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Offensive flashes have not translated into defensive consistency, and late-game breakdowns continue to plague a group still searching for its identity under an interim coaching staff. Borrego has emphasized patience and development, but with the calendar turning and the gap in the standings widening, the margin for error is shrinking. For now, New Orleans is left clinging to the signs of life provided by Williamson, hoping his health and production can eventually serve as a foundation for a more stable stretch of basketball.