New Orleans Pelicans star return date revealed

The New Orleans Pelicans are just one game into the 2024-25 season and are already dealing with mixed emotions. On the one hand, they defeated the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday and started the season 1-0. The Pelicans won 123-11 and featured impressive performances from Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray and Yves Missi, among others. However, Murray suffered a broken hand and is now out indefinitely. Additionally, the team has already taken down Trey Murphy III, although they will likely bring him back in the next few weeks. Most importantly, star Zion Williamson also missed the team’s season opener due to illness. Fortunately for him and the Pelicans, however, he should return very soon.

According to Pelicans reporter Erin Summers, head coach Willie Green announced that Williamson will make his season debut tomorrow night on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Head coach Willie Green said Zion Williamson should be ready to start Friday against Portland

— Erin Summers (@ErinESummers) October 24, 2024

New Orleans Pelicans star return date revealed

Zion Williamson could be having a career year

The 24-year-old is entering his sixth season with the Pelicans, which could be his best season yet. Despite battling injuries throughout his NBA career, Williamson played in 70 games for the Pelicans last season. This was a career highlight for Williamson. Additionally, it was only the second time in his career that he played at least 30 games (61 games in the 2020–21 season). Although he ultimately injured himself in the team’s play-in loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and missed the remainder of the postseason, Williamson still had a great season. Last season he averaged 22.9 points on 57% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.1 steals. He was good last season, but the Duke alum could be even better this time around.

Williamson is reportedly in the best form of his career so far. A few weeks ago, NBA insider Shams Charania spoke about Williamson’s form. Charania noted that his presence in training camp was his most dominant “in the eyes of the Pelicans” (YouTube link).

“He worked with the Pelican team all summer and that was very important for him. This was very important for the Pelicans. He hasn’t done that in recent offseasons. “There hasn’t been a single NBA season where he came into training camp looking so dominant in the eyes of the Pelicans,” Charania said.

Additionally, Murphy also spoke about Williamson’s form, saying he had taken it “very seriously.”

“He took his body work and recovery very seriously. He just looks different than last year. He is ready to play and started this season in good shape. It’s just a testament to what he’s done this summer.”

Because of his work ethic, Williamson could have the best year of his career this season.

The last word

Enough cannot be said about Williamson’s importance to the Pelicans. When he’s healthy, he’s a dominant player. There’s some debate about whether he didn’t live up to his lofty expectations when he entered the 2019 draft. However, there is no denying that he is an All-NBA player. Williamson has never played in the playoffs at this point in his career. However, the Pelicans are in a good position to get back there this season. However, it largely depends on Williamson’s availability and ability on the field.