Zion Williamson scores 22 in his return to the Pelicans’ lineup after missing 27 games
Associated PressNEW ORLEANS — Zion Williamson symbolically announced his return from a 27-game injury absence with a breakaway dunk in which he rotated 360 degrees in the air while throwing down a crowd-pleasing, double-clutch, roundhouse jam. “I’m glad he played with the confidence and the joy.” To Williamson, attempting that dunk in his first game back from a left hamstring strain wasn’t so much a bold play as “another day at the office.” “I definitely feel like my legs are already under me,” said Williamson, who scored 22 points in just under 28 minutes. “I feel like I didn’t even miss a beat, but gained a beat.” Williamson also had six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block on Wolves center Rudy Gobert. “It’s a credit to Zion, the work that he’s been putting in.” Green said Williamson was on minutes restriction that was “roughly” about the time he was in the game. Williamson, the first overall pick out of Duke in the 2019 NBA Draft, had played in just six of New Orleans’ previous 36 games this season, averaging 22.7 points, eight rebounds and 5.3 assists.