Zion Williamson returns to Pelicans to face Bulls

CHICAGO (AP) — Injury-plagued forward Zion Williamson returned to the New Orleans Pelicans' lineup against the Chicago Bulls in a game-time decision Sunday night.

Williamson, the NBA’s top draft pick in 2019, most recently missed five games with a right hip adductor strain. Four separate injuries have limited the two-time All-Star to just 10 games this season for the Pelicans, who entered Sunday at 4-22 and last in the Western Conference.

He didn't start, but entered the game off the bench 4:35 into the first quarter.

Williamson is averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 30.9 minutes. He had a season-high 29 points when the Pelicans defeated the Bulls 143-130 on Nov. 24 in New Orleans to end a nine-game losing streak.

Interim coach James Borrego praised Williamson for working hard to recover more quickly than expected from the adductor strain.

“He’s done a heck of a job to get to this point, if you want to call it ahead of schedule” Borrego said.

Williamson, who missed eight consecutive games earlier this season with a strained hamstring, did not play as a precaution in the second game of a back-to-back on Nov. 30 in Los Angeles against the Lakers, but he was not listed on the injury report after that game.

He went on the report on Dec. 2 before New Orleans hosted Minnesota.

The depleted Bulls played without guard Ayo Dosunmu (sprained thumb) on Sunday, but guard Kevin Huerter returned after missing four games with a left adductor strain. Seven Chicago players, including guard Coby White, were under minutes restrictions.

The Bulls and Pelicans both snapped seven-game losing streaks with road wins on Friday night.

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