The New Orleans Pelicans find themselves in a precarious position this season, with star forward Zion Williamson at the centre of their struggles. After playing only 30 games last season, marking the fourth time in his career he has missed significant playing time, Williamson has dedicated the offseason to improving his conditioning. As the Pelicans aim for a successful run in the 2025-2026 season, the team must address his playing time for optimal performance.
Williamson has made an impressive return since overcoming a Grade 2 adductor strain, a typical injury that sidelines players for about a month. He managed to recover in just 12 days, a testament to his dedicated offseason conditioning. In his last three games, Williamson has averaged an outstanding 32.7 points and 6.7 rebounds, shooting 62.3% from the field. This marks his first streak of three consecutive games scoring over 30 points since 2021.
Despite his individual success, the Pelicans have faced challenges, losing six consecutive games and holding the worst record in the Western Conference. Concerns about managing Williamson’s minutes have persisted, but the current narrative suggests that these limitations may no longer be necessary. He is currently averaging just 28.6 minutes per game, raising questions about whether more playing time could translate into better results for the team.
Interim head coach James Borrego has praised Williamson’s recent performance, stating, “It’s as well as I think he’s played in a while.” He noted that Williamson appears to be in peak physical and mental condition. The coach expressed confidence in Williamson’s ability to contribute significantly when given the opportunity, suggesting that the Pelicans need to adjust their strategy to leverage their star player’s capabilities.
Historically, managing a player of Williamson’s calibre has been essential due to fitness concerns. However, with his recent improvements, it may be time for the Pelicans to reconsider their approach. The team currently does not possess its first-round pick for the upcoming season, eliminating the possibility of a strategic “tanking” approach.
In addition, the Pelicans have struggled in clutch situations, holding a 5-13 record in games decided by five points or fewer in the final five minutes. Increasing Williamson’s minutes could potentially flip several narrow losses into victories. If the Pelicans are serious about establishing a competitive era of basketball in New Orleans, they must move past cautious management and allow Williamson the opportunity to lead on the court.
As the season progresses, the future of the Pelicans hinges on their ability to adapt and utilize their star player effectively. The time has come for the franchise to embrace Williamson’s potential and let him play the minutes necessary to turn their fortunes around.
