Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Pelicans Announce Zion Williamson Development on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Ishaan Bhattacharya | Last updated Nov 13, 2025 12:33 PM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans have had a rough start to the 2025-26 NBA season. The franchise is 2-9 through the first 11 games, sitting dead last in the Western Conference. Their next game will pit them against the 8-4 Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at 8 p.m. EST, led by the Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves duo, as they await the season debut of LeBron James.

The Pelicans don't control their 2026 first-round pick and will be hoping to find a significant improvement on the court, starting with a win over the Lakers, if they want to remain competitive among the field in their conference. With Zion Williamson having another injury-riddled start to the season, it won't be easy.

Williamson was one of the biggest talking points of the summer, with experts and fans lauding the 25-year-old forward for slimming down and committing to being in shape for the season. The excitement wore out with an early-season hamstring injury, but it seems Williamson is one step closer to returning to the court.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1)© Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The Pelicans announced on social media that Williamson has been cleared for a return to on-court basketball activities with full contact. While they didn't share a timetable for his NBA return, this positive update shows he's progressing in the right direction.

"Pelicans announce that Zion Williamson, who was diagnosed with a grade 1 left hamstring strain on November 4, continues to progress well through his rehabilitation and has been cleared to resume on-court basketball activities with contact. His return to play progression will be updated appropriately."

Pelicans announce that Zion Williamson, who was diagnosed with a grade 1 left hamstring strain on November 4, continues to progress well through his rehabilitation and has been cleared to resume on-court basketball activities with contact.

His return to play progression will be… pic.twitter.com/yJwpoXI1q3
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 13, 2025

The Lakers will be hoping to beat the Pelicans after falling to a 121-92 loss to the OKC Thunder, while the Pelicans are hoping to rebound from a 125-117 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

This Lakers-Pelicans clash is a part of the NBA Cup, with both teams seeded in Group B. The Lakers are currently 1-0 in the tournament while the Pelicans are 0-1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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