While registering 49 victories last season, New Orleans relied on accurate three-point shooting and 70 games played by one of the NBA’s premier paint scorers to finish as the league’s 11th-best offense. Through much of 2024-25, however, the Pelicans have been a bottom-tier squad in perimeter accuracy, and two-time All-Star power forward Zion Williamson has only played in six games, leading to a No. 28 ranking in offensive efficiency.
Largely behind the recent gunning of guard CJ McCollum and forward Trey Murphy, New Orleans (7-29) has begun to heat up from three-point range, sixth in the NBA in three-point makes over the last five games. The next piece of the offense’s puzzle could be in place soon – head coach Willie Green said Williamson potentially will return to game action as soon as this week.
Williamson fully participated in 5-on-5 portions of practice Monday afternoon. His official status for Tuesday’s game vs. Minnesota will be clearer when the Pelicans release their injury report prior to today’s 5 p.m. deadline, but regardless of that update, the 24-year-old is making progress to return to uniform.
“There’s a chance that he could,” Green said, when asked if Williamson will be able to play this week. “We’ll see.”
Green added that Williamson has physically looked “really good. He’s getting better and better.”
Trey Murphy did not practice after exiting Sunday’s win at Washington in the second half with a left ankle injury. “It’s definitely a concern,” Green said of Murphy’s injury. “We’ll have more of an update (soon). Right now he’s day-to-day.” …
New Orleans point guards Dejounte Murray and Jose Alvarado turned in a superb weekend vs. the Wizards from a playmaking standpoint, combining for 15 assists and one turnover Friday, then 15 assists and four turnovers Sunday.
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