Zion’s Return from Injury Excites NBA Fans Despite Pelicans’ Loss to Edwards, Wolves

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 8, 2025

Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

There aren’t many silver linings for the 2024-25 New Orleans Pelicans, but they got one even in defeat Tuesday.

Zion Williamson is back.

The forward returned after missing the last 27 games with a hamstring injury and played in just his seventh contest of the season. He didn’t only play, he uncorked a number of rim-rattling dunks and looked the part of someone who can help New Orleans attempt to bounce back from its abysmal start.

Still, it wasn’t enough in Tuesday’s Western Conference showdown at Smoothie King Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves emerged with the 104-97 victory and dropped the Pelicans to 7-30 overall.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportZION IS BACK 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/4jtHzpg8uU

Anthony Edwards tallied 32 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals on 7-of-11 shooting from deep. He wasn’t a one-man show, though, as Naz Reid posted a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds while Julius Randle added 16 points.

There were also plenty of eyes on the other superstar, and Williamson finished with 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals on 9-of-15 shooting from the field. Teammate Dejounte Murray led the Pelicans with 29 points, six steals and six assists, but it was Williamson who drew much of the reaction from social media:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportWELCOME BACK ZION 💥 pic.twitter.com/YOazlzsQbY

Ja Morant @JaMorantZion back tonight 🔥🙏🏾💪🏾

Isaac Gutierrez @byisaacgNo matter how many times he upsets me I just can’t ever fully give up on Zion man. I love watching him so much I’ll always have a bias towards him

Shamit Dua @FearTheBrownThe Pelicans are just different when Zion is playing. You feel him every possession

Chris Conner @ImpatientbullThis the Zion that ended last season visually

Jace frederick @JaceFrederickMan, it’s great to see Zion on the floor again

There’s really no one like him

Brady @sideshowbradyThe Zion x Dejounte connection is real ladies and gentlemen.

Esfandiar Baraheni @JustEsBaraheniNothing provides me with more joy than watching a healthy Zion Williamson

Will Guillory @WillGuilloryZion looks fast

Erin Summers @ErinESummersI think Zion is officially back 😳

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBAI wish Zion could stay healthy. He’s so damn good and so much fun to watch. Glad he’s back!

While Williamson has been the most high-profile injury for the Pelicans, he is not the only one. Brandon Ingram, Murray and CJ McCollum have also missed notable time this season, which is a primary reason they are among the most disappointing teams in the league.

There was at least more firepower than usual Tuesday with Williamson, Murray and McCollum all playing.

And New Orleans needed that firepower to keep pace with Edwards in the early going, as the two-time All-Star came out on fire from deep and poured in 21 points in the first half. It was a continuation of his recent hot streak that saw him score 53 on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons and 37 in Monday’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Murray did a solid job of matching that production by causing havoc on defense and getting into the lane to create looks for himself and others. Williamson also mixed in multiple dunks in the third quarter and showed the bounce he is known for when he is healthy.

Anyone thinking he wouldn’t top his first-quarter alley-oop was quite mistaken, as he unleashed a 360-windmill dunk to fire up the crowd when he broke free in transition.

New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBARAHHHHHH every angle of Zion’s 360 windmill is incredible pic.twitter.com/qnX132r8lm

New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBAABSOLUTE CINEMA pic.twitter.com/MyXDYqDgDI

But, as has often been the case this season, the Pelicans couldn’t make enough plays down the stretch to earn the win. The visitors maintained a double-digit lead for much of the fourth quarter, which provided enough cushion to survive a final push from New Orleans that included Murray causing turnovers, dishing out assists and scoring himself.

Now the Timberwolves will look to build on the momentum of their latest win when they face the Orlando Magic on the road Thursday.