New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) scores against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of a basketball game at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY SOPHIA GERMER
James Borrego isn’t afraid to switch things up a little bit.
So when Zion Williamson made his sooner than expected return Sunday, Borrego decided to roll with the lineup he’d been using and bring Williamson off the bench.
The decision paid off as the Pelicans [defeated the Chicago Bulls 114-104 at the United Center.](https://www.nola.com/tncms/asset/editorial/8aad9c6a-49d5-429b-a5ee-688c184e0ee0/)
Williamson, who missed the previous five games with a right hip adductor strain, finished with 18 points, six rebounds and two assists in his return.
What prompted Borrego to bring Williamson off the bench?
“Just the minutes,” Borrego explained. “Obviously he’s coming back off injury. The No. 1 thing for Z is to keep him healthy and keep him on the floor. That’s my No. 1 thing. How we do it, we’re trying to figure that out. If it’s a different rotation, he’s fine with that. I’m fine with that. We’re going to figure this out.”
It was the first time in Williamson’s career that he didn’t start. Borrego's starting five Sunday was Jeremiah Fears, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen. It was the third straight game and fourth time this season the Pelicans have started that lineup.
“Coach JB communicated with me early in the day,” Williamson said. “It was a game plan that allowed me to close the game. My body is used to playing certain minutes of a quarter. He walked me through it. I didn’t have a problem with it because it allowed me to close the game.”
Williamson played 26 minutes and 37 seconds. He scored seven points in the fourth quarter when the Pels outscored the Bulls 38-29 to pull away for just their second two-game winning streak of the season.
“Based on the minutes restriction or whatever we are looking at right now, this could be a good combination for us,” Borrego said. “I thought he was fantastic. He came in and gave us great energy. He had sustained energy throughout the game and it gave him the ability to close in a way that wasn’t condensed or rushed. He was able to close in a way that had some fluidity to it and he came in ready to go to close the fourth.”
Williamson was diagnosed with the adductor strain on December 2. According to an ESPN report at the time, Williamson would miss "an extended amount of time" and would be re-evaluated in three weeks. But Williamson returned in just 12 days.
“Injuries suck,” Williamson said. “There's no other way to put it. Rehabbing is not fun either. But over the summer, me putting in that work on my body allows me - if something does happen- it’s not anything that keeps me out a super long time. I’m able to rehab it not just faster, but at a more efficient rate.”
The Pelicans (5-22) return to action Thursday when they host the Houston Rockets. It’s unclear if Williamson will continue to come off the bench.
“Whatever this team needs me to do to win, I’m going to do it,” Williamson said.