Is Zion Williamson playing against the Portland Trail Blazers? Exploring Pelicans star’s availability (Jan. 8)

Zion Williamson is available to play against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday when the New Orleans Pelicans host Portland.

The Pelicans are not having the greatest run this season. They are struggling with an injury plague that left them undermanned for most of their matchups earlier in the season. They lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, bringing their record to 7-30.

This season's longest win streak for the Pelicans has been a measly two-game win streak. However, the injury-ravaged roster should be blamed for the terrible performances. Among those, Zion Williamson's injury was the biggest blow for the Pelicans.

The first pick from the 2019 draft suffered a hamstring injury on Nov. 6 in a 132–122 loss against the Cleaveland Cavaliers. He was ruled out of action for almost two months before returning to practice last week. The two-time NBA All-Star played his first game on Tuesday since his injury against the Timberwolves.

He was dominant in his plays after returning from injury, however, his efforts were not enough to secure a desperate win for the Pels against their opponents. Williamson scored 22 points, collected six rebounds and dished out four assists against the Timberwolves in a disappointing 104–97 loss.

Zion Williamson talks about his 'extreme' focus during his rehab

Zion Williamson has had a rough career in the NBA. He has struggled with truly reaching his potential because of recurring injuries holding him back every season. However, it looks like this time, the Pels star is more optimistic about his return than before.

After the Timberwolves game on Tuesday, Williamson attended a postgame conference where he shared his thoughts about his rehab.

"The focus I had during this rehab was a bit more extreme," he said. "That's why my legs are already under me. I feel like didnt even miss a beat but gained a beat and now it's just I don't have to worry about trying to find a rhythm."

The Pelicans star is a player with a huge potential to become a superstar. He is averaging 22.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He is highly athletic but is held back because of the injuries. On Tuesday, Williamson shut down his doubters when he hit an athletic 360-degree windmill dunk in his first game after returning from injury.