The New Orleans Pelicans have struggled to find any momentum this season, and injuries have played a major role in their collapse. With losses piling up and confidence wearing thin, the team has been searching for any positive sign that could change the direction of its year. That sign may finally be arriving.
Zion Williamson, the Pelicans’ offensive centerpiece, is suddenly much closer to returning than many expected. Ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans received encouraging news that could reshape the outlook for the weeks ahead.
Zion Williamson’s Status Upgraded as Return Timeline Speeds Up
NBA insider Marc Stein reported on X that Williamson has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday’s game against the Bulls after missing the past six games with a right adductor strain. The update came as a surprise given the team’s earlier outlook.
“After missing the past six games with a right adductor strain, Zion Williamson has been upgraded to questionable for New Orleans’ game Sunday in Chicago,” Stein reported. He also noted that Williamson previously missed eight games in November due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.
On Dec. 2, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Williamson would be re-evaluated in three weeks after suffering the adductor injury. At the time, most expected the Pelicans star to be sidelined well into January. Instead, just 11 days later, Williamson is already approaching game readiness.
The timing matters for a team that has been spiraling. The Pelicans snapped a seven-game losing streak with a rare win over the Portland Trail Blazers in their previous game and now enter Sunday’s contest with a chance to build some momentum.
Having Williamson even available, whether he plays or not, is a psychological boost for a locker room that has endured constant setbacks.
Pelicans Desperately Need Williamson’s Impact
Williamson has played only 10 games so far during the 2025-26 season, a familiar pattern for the former No. 1 overall pick. When he has been on the floor, he has still produced at a high level, averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
The story, unfortunately, keeps repeating itself. Williamson’s talent is undeniable, but injuries have followed him throughout his career. Last season, he appeared in just 30 games, and this year has already featured multiple absences due to separate lower-body injuries.
The Pelicans sit at 4-22, dead last in the Western Conference. Without Williamson, the offense has often looked disjointed and predictable. His presence alone raises the team’s offensive floor and gives defenders something they must constantly account for in the paint.
At just 25 years old, Williamson remains one of the league’s most physically dominant players when healthy. His ability to score through contact and collapse defenses changes how opponents game plan for New Orleans.
Whether he returns Sunday or later this week, the Pelicans will need to be cautious. But the fact that Williamson is nearing a comeback far earlier than expected offers rare optimism in an otherwise difficult season.