Zion closes out Bulls as injury-hit Pelicans star makes winning return

Zion Williamson
December 2025

Zion Williamson returned from a right hip adductor strain to post 18 points off the bench, including seven in the final four minutes, sparking the last-place Pelicans to a 114-104 home win over the Bulls and easing fears after yet another injury-interrupted start to his season. Limited to just under 27 minutes in his first game back after missing five, Williamson leaned on improved summer conditioning, capped his night with a late dunk and admitted rehab “sucks” but is now shorter thanks to better preparation, while James Borrego praised him for working back slightly ahead of schedule.