Zion Williamson returned to the New Orleans Pelicans lineup on Tuesday night, his first action since November 6 when he suffered a hamstring strain against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Tuesday, the Pelicans - who own a 7-30 record, the next to lowest win total across the association (the Washington Wizards, 6-28, own that distinction currently) - hosted Anthony Edwards and the 19-17 Timberwolves, the visitors prevailing 104-97.
Both teams are headed in opposite directions.
The Pelicans, just getting Williamson back after an extended absence and still without Brandon Ingram (Tuesday was the first game that Williamson has played alongside off-season acquisition Dejounte Murray) are in a strange spot. Too talented when healthy to tank, but so bad record wise that they seem destined for a high pick. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have title aspirations.
The Wolves registered a 29-21 third quarter in a game that otherwise was nearly even. Edwards (10-for-21, 7-for-11, 5-for-6) led with 32 points and 9 rebounds. Rudy Gobert pulled down 14 misses. Julius Randle was 6-for-11 for 16 points and 6 rebounds. Naz Reid put up 13 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.
Murray (12-for-20) led the Pelicans with 29 points, 6 steals, and 6 assists, while Williamson (22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 9-for-15) looked solid in 28 minutes for it being his first game action in eight weeks.
Williamson was his usual attacking self, using his first step and strength to drive on defenders and draw fouls. Problem was, he was off target from the stripe, going just 4-for-9. He did provide a couple of highlight plays.
In the first quarter, after Williamson scored inside, C.J. McCollum rebounded a Donte DiVincenzo miss and sent a half court lob to Williamson, who finished with two hands. In the second quarter, Williamson recorded a block on Gobert. Just one minute and 15 seconds into the second half, he stole the ball from Edwards and, all alone, elevated for a 360 windmill slam. Less than a minute later, he knocked the ball away from Randle. Murray took the ball and dished to back to Williamson as they both approached the basket, Williamson finishing with a two-handed slam.
Driving and creating contact and getting to the line is a strong point of Williamson’s arsenal. He is very tough to stop going to his left and when he crosses over right to left with a full head of steam.
Still, while there were highlights, you could tell that it was Williamson’s first game in a while. As mentioned, the free-throws were an issue. He attempted two triples and missed both. With the Timberwolves holding a 102-97 advantage with 19.7 seconds left, Williamson lost the inbounds pass out of bounds.
On a positive note, Williamson looks slimmer than he has. The crucial part to him remaining healthy is keeping pressure off of his lower body and the lighter he is, the better that is on his body. As said in the past, having Murray as a primary ball handler now helps to decrease Williamson’s responsibilities.
Just 5-15 at home and 2-15 on the road, the Pelicans have endured some very poor stretches. From November 16 to December 2, they did not win a game. After winning on December 5, they proceeded to exceed their previous nine-game skid with an 11-game losing streak.
There have been rumors that Brandon Ingram could be dealt, that Williamson could be dealt, that the Murray-McCollum-Ingram-Williamson quartet that was to lead the Pelicans into serious 2025 contention will be broken up - before it gets going - in favor of a high draft pick and an eye toward the future. With their record, they have no shot at the playoffs (barring a historic run). It might be in David Griffin’s best interest to, in essence, blow it up. Trey Murphy III and Yves Missi figure to be untouchable in trade talks.
Marc Spears of Andscape, appearing on the Murph and Markus radio show on San Francisco’s KNBR, said that Williamson is not of interest to the Golden State Warriors. On December 31, Tim McMahon and Bobby Marks went through numbers and scenarios, with the Bulls mentioned.
Whether Williamson stays or goes (the latter would seem more likely), Tuesday’s performance was a positive sign.
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