Zion Williamson Cleared to Return to On-Court Activities

As of last weekend, Zion Williamson, the star rookie for the New Orleans Pelicans, is back in action! He’s been cleared to return to on-court basketball activities, including contact. He was officially diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on November 4. This particular injury is what’s held him out of the last five games. Second, the Pelicans themselves have opened the season with a shocking 2-9 record. They’ve taken a hard hit, losing three-straight games in his absence, which shows how huge of an impact he has on that team.

Williamson’s absence has already had a significant effect on the Pelicans’ performance this season. On the year, he’s averaging an eye-popping 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. His scoring and playmaking skills have quickly made him the team’s most important player. The Pelicans have been a mess without him. They’ve been dealt a further blow through the play of star Jordan Poole, who’s missed the last four games with a left quad strain.

The biggest factor driving the Pelicans and their disappointing on-court performance has been their inability to stay competitive with their key players unavailable. The departures have exposed the team’s lack of depth as they continue to struggle for consistent scoring and defense. Whatever the reason, the Pelicans find themselves in a precarious position this early in the season. Their current three-game slide has done nothing but exacerbate the situation.

Ohm Youngmisuk joined ESPN NewYork.com in 2009 after covering the NBA for eight years at the New York Daily News. He issued Williamson’s notice on November 13, 2025. His experience to shed light on Williamson’s ongoing recovery process and what it means for the Pelicans as they move forward.

Williamson is in the process of preparing to rejoin action. What some don’t fully appreciate is how his access to the team’s return will re-shape the team’s dynamics. His presence alone will inject much-needed energy into the team and raise the performance levels for everyone on the Pelicans’ roster. They’re looking to make a U-turn in their new downward trajectory.