NBA: Pelicans’ Zion Williamson clears protocol, available vs Pacers
Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on December 17, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
Zion Williamson cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocol, the New Orleans Pelicans announced Sunday, making him available to play Monday against the visiting Indiana Pacers.
Williamson missed the Pelicans’ past two games while in the protocol. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick and 2020-21 All-Star is averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 25 games (all starts) this season.
The Pelicans still won’t be at full strength. Brandon Ingram, their second-leading scorer, will miss his 14th straight game due to a right big toe contusion.
Ingram has averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game in 15 games (all starts) this season.
Larry Nance Jr., who like Williamson has missed the past two games, is questionable due to right Achilles soreness. Nance has appeared in 27 games off the bench for New Orleans and averaged 9.0 points and 5.8 rebounds.
