Zion Williamson Announces Return from Ankle Injury for Lakers Clash

The Pelicans star will be back on the court after missing Sunday's game against the Clippers.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 7:23pm

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Zion Williamson, the New Orleans Pelicans' star forward, has announced that he expects to return to play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday after missing Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to an ankle injury. Williamson had played in 35 consecutive games before the injury, but the Pelicans are still struggling to make the playoffs, sitting 13 games out of the 8th seed in the Western Conference.

Why it matters

Williamson's availability is crucial for the Pelicans, who are trying to build around their young core of Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Derik Queen, and Jeremiah Fears. The team has not reached the playoffs since the 2023-24 season, and Williamson's durability has been a concern throughout his career, with him missing more games than he has played. His return could help spark a late-season push for the Pelicans.

The details

Williamson suffered the ankle injury in a win over the Utah Jazz on Friday. He had played in 35 consecutive games, the longest streak of his career, before missing Sunday's loss to the Clippers. The Pelicans are currently 13 games out of the 8th seed in the Western Conference, but they have a promising young core around Williamson, including Trey Murphy III, Derik Queen, and Jeremiah Fears.

  • Williamson suffered the ankle injury on Friday, March 1, 2026.
  • Williamson missed the Pelicans' game against the Clippers on Sunday, March 3, 2026.
  • Williamson is expected to return to play against the Lakers on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Zion Williamson

The star forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, who was drafted with the 1st overall pick in 2019. Williamson has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but is considered a key part of the Pelicans' young core.

Trey Murphy III

The Pelicans' leading scorer, averaging 22 points per game while shooting 47.5% from the field and 37.8% from 3-point range.

Derik Queen

The Pelicans' rookie center, who is averaging 13 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, providing interior playmaking for the team.

Jeremiah Fears

Another member of the Pelicans' 2025 draft class, who has started games at point guard and is expected to be part of the team's young core moving forward.

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What they’re saying

“I expect to be back tomorrow against the Lakers”

— Zion Williamson

What’s next

The Pelicans will need to continue building around Williamson through free agency or trades, as they do not have a first-round pick this season. The team's playoff outlook appears bleak, but a closer look at Williamson's supporting cast offers hope for the future.

The takeaway

Zion Williamson's return from an ankle injury could provide a much-needed boost for the struggling Pelicans, who are trying to build around their young core and end their playoff drought. However, Williamson's durability remains a concern, and the team will need to find ways to keep him healthy and on the court if they want to make a push for the postseason.