Jan 23, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dunks over Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Zion Williamson's Status For Pelicans vs Jazz

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Terry Kimble | Last updated Jan 17, 2025 4:41 PM ET

On Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz begin a two-game mini-series at the Smoothie King Center. This is the first matchup of the season between the two worst teams in the Western Conference. Both teams have been decimated by injury to start the year and are already out of contention for the playoffs.

While the Jazz have seven players out for Friday's game, the Pelicans are beginning to get healthier with the returns of Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, and Zion Williamson over the last few weeks. Williamson returned after nearly a two-month hiatus from a serious hamstring injury. The Pelicans remain cautious with him, adhering to a minutes restriction and holding him out of back-to-back games.

The two-time all-star missed Wednesday's victory over the Dallas Mavericks since it was the second night of a back-to-back, similar to the week before when the Pelicans held him out. The team released their injury report for Friday's game against Utah, and Williamson is available to play against the Jazz.

Four players listed out for tomorrow's game against the Jazz.#Pelicans | @MorrisBartLLC https://t.co/8o3pkJfacH
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 16, 2025

He and the Pelicans should be able to take advantage of Utah's lack of size on the court Friday. Both of their seven-footers, Lauri Markanen and Walker Kessler, are out, and the Jazz have struggled to defend the paint. Utah ranks last in the NBA in opponent points in the paint over the last week and Zion has been efficient shooting the ball since his return, making over 60% from the field in two of his last three games.

Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The former No. 1 overall pick has averaged 24.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.1 rebounds over ten games in his career versus the Jazz. Tip-off for Friday night's game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CST.

This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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