The New Orleans Pelicans received a major boost on Thursday as Zion Williamson was cleared to resume on-court basketball activities with contact, the team announced in an official statement.
Williamson had been sidelined since November 4 after being diagnosed with a grade 1 left hamstring strain. The Pelicans noted that his rehabilitation has progressed well and that updates on his return-to-play timeline will be provided “appropriately.”
The news marks a positive step for New Orleans, which has stumbled to a 2–9 record through its first 11 games of the 2025–26 season. With Williamson sidelined for the last several contests, the team has struggled to generate consistent offense despite strong individual performances from Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey.
Before his injury, Williamson averaged 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.0 steals over five appearances. His ability to attack the rim and create opportunities in transition remains a cornerstone of the Pelicans’ offense, and his absence has been felt on both ends of the court.
Murphy has carried much of the scoring load during Williamson’s absence, averaging 18.5 points per game while shooting efficiently from the perimeter. Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears has also been a bright spot, providing playmaking and scoring bursts in the backcourt.
Still, the Pelicans’ early-season struggles highlight their dependence on Williamson’s presence. Without their star forward, the team has ranked near the bottom of the league in points in the paint and fast-break production — two areas that have historically defined their success when Williamson is active.
The Pelicans face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at Smoothie King Center.
