Zion Williamson sparks hope for the Pelicans as they head towards the end of the 2024-25 season

Despite being limited to just 20 games this season due to injuries, there is no question that Zion Williamson is the cornerstone of the team's long-term vision. His recent return to health and availability on the court have allowed him to showcase why he is such a vital player for the team.

The star forward is coming off a 22-point effort in a 114-96 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, but his impact on the victory was far more than just scoring alone. He also added nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks across 28 minutes to help the Pelicans secure the win. Williamson has missed only one game in February, and he’s averaging 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.7 steals per contest over that span. Those are star-caliber numbers and show his potential when healthy.

Perhaps the most interesting stat is how he’s getting most of his points. The former Duke star ranks second in the league in

field goals made and attempted within five feet

of the bucket, making 6.5 of the 10.3 shots he takes within that distance. It shows Williamson is getting to the rim at ease and succeeding when he does so, converting 63.1 percent of those attempts.

He’s at his best near the rim, and his partnership with Missi could be a long-term dynamic frontcourt duo for a New Orleans team that has been heavily decimated by injuries throughout the entire 2024-25 campaign.

Combine that with the perimeter shooting provided by CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy and the ingredients are there for the Pelicans to have a strong finish this season.