The decision to return with his Pelicans for the season (re)opener vs. the Jazz Thursday may be out of Zion Williamson's hands. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Zion Williamson a game-time decision for NBA resumption vs. Jazz

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/29/20

New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson wants to feature for his team versus the Utah Jazz for Thursday's opener of the NBA restart taking place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex bubble site.

Coach Alvin Gentry, and others within the organization, may remove the decision from Williamson's hands.

As ESPN's Andrew Lopez wrote, the Pelicans listed Williamson as a game-time decision after the 20-year-old missed nearly two weeks of work, including practices and scrimmages. Williamson left the bubble for eight days for an undisclosed family matter, and he then had to quarantine four days while producing negative coronavirus test results before he could rejoin team activities on Wednesday.

He told reporters he wants to play if given the chance:

"I think me and my team are gonna look at what's best for me, my future, and being safe. If you know me, I wanna hoop. That's just how I am. I'm never gonna change. I'm gonna want to hoop, simple as that."

The Pelicans would love to have the young phenom who averaged 23.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 2.2 APG in 19 regular-season appearances in the lineup on Thursday, but the club may wish to proceed cautiously as it regards a potential cornerstone of a future championship squad.

With or without Williamson, the Pelicans likely aren't long for the Florida bubble.

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