Zion cleared after inconclusive COVID-19 test

Zion Williamson was cleared Thursday to return to team activities.

The New Orleans Pelicans forward missed Wednesday night’s game against the LA Clippers because of inconclusive COVID-19 test results and because the results of subsequent testing weren’t going to come back until after the game.

The Pelicans received word Thursday that Williamson was allowed to return to team activities, and he is set to play in Friday night’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. Without Williamson in the lineup, the Pelicans lost to the Clippers 111-106.

Williamson, who played in only 24 games last season, averaged 21.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in the Pelicans’ first nine games this season. Wednesday’s game was the first he had missed.

The Pelicans could still be without two starters on Friday, however. Lonzo Ball (bilateral knee tendinopathy) and Eric Bledsoe (right eye irritation) also missed the game against the Clippers. Ball has been ruled out for Friday’s game, while Bledsoe is listed as questionable.