Pelica Debrief
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Zion Williamson, The Debut — It’s Finally Happening (soon enough)!

By Kay Jones Davis

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 8: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Bulls on January 8, 2020 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 8: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans warms up prior to a game against the Chicago Bulls on January 8, 2020 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New Orleans Pelicans are about to add a lot of talent to their roster with one injury return, as Zion Williamson is starting to show strong results in practice.

Zion Williamson is just a few games away from taking the court for the New Orleans Pelicans in a regular-season game. It is definitely a few months later than planned, but it’s finally happening.

Williamson has been participating in 5-on-5 drills and is on track to make his Pelicans regular-season debut soon.

What does that mean for the team? It remains to be seen as Coach Alvin Gentry told reporters on Wednesday that Zion Williamson will be on a minutes restriction when he returns. While conventional wisdom says anytime he’s on the court will make the team better, there’s bound to be an adjustment period for him and the team.

For the fans, this is the moment they’ve been waiting for since David Griffin managed to pull off the unthinkable at the NBA Lottery and win the #1 pick in the draft.

Fans in the Smoothie King Center have watched him hobble out on crutches during the first home game as he was introduced to the crowd and continue to be a presence on the bench supporting his teammates during the games. But now, the excitement for Zion’s first minutes with the full team will be at an all-time high.

What this does for the Pelicans in their bid to win more games and secure a playoff spot is still to be determined. But even more than that, it should help bring the local fans who gobbled up the season tickets not long after the lottery order and not see as many empty seats in the lower bowl.

Attendance at the SKC for the first half of the season has been lower than initial expectations, mostly due to Williamson’s lack of playing time. According to ESPN.com, the Pels are averaging 16.005 for their 19 home games this season, which puts them at the bottom tier of the NBA attendance.

That will change once Williamson makes his home debut, along with the continued improvement of the team that has resulted in better play offensively and defensively coupled with some much-needed wins.

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Regardless of how many minutes he’s on the court during his first few games, the excitement of the fans in New Orleans will no doubt be over the top. And for his return to coincide with Mardi Gras season? Well, it couldn’t be more “New Orleans” than that.

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