Zion Williamson returns to Pelicans to face Bulls

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Zion Williamson returns to Pelicans to face Bulls

2025-12-15 08:35 Last Updated At：08:40

CHICAGO (AP) — Injury-plagued forward Zion Williamson returned to the New Orleans Pelicans' lineup against the Chicago Bulls in a game-time decision Sunday night.

Williamson, the NBA’s top draft pick in 2019, most recently missed five games with a right hip adductor strain. Four separate injuries have limited the two-time All-Star to just 10 games this season for the Pelicans, who entered Sunday at 4-22 and last in the Western Conference.

He didn't start, but entered the game off the bench 4:35 into the first quarter.

Williamson is averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 30.9 minutes. He had a season-high 29 points when the Pelicans defeated the Bulls 143-130 on Nov. 24 in New Orleans to end a nine-game losing streak.

Interim coach James Borrego praised Williamson for working hard to recover more quickly than expected from the adductor strain.

“He’s done a heck of a job to get to this point, if you want to call it ahead of schedule” Borrego said.

Williamson, who missed eight consecutive games earlier this season with a strained hamstring, did not play as a precaution in the second game of a back-to-back on Nov. 30 in Los Angeles against the Lakers, but he was not listed on the injury report after that game.

He went on the report on Dec. 2 before New Orleans hosted Minnesota.

The depleted Bulls played without guard Ayo Dosunmu (sprained thumb) on Sunday, but guard Kevin Huerter returned after missing four games with a left adductor strain. Seven Chicago players, including guard Coby White, were under minutes restrictions.

The Bulls and Pelicans both snapped seven-game losing streaks with road wins on Friday night.

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Packers pass rushing standout Micah Parsons hurts left knee on non-contact play against Broncos

DENVER (AP) — Green Bay Packers pass rushing standout Micah Parsons was helped off the field after injuring his left knee on a non-contact play late in the third quarter Sunday against Denver.

He was later ruled out.

Parsons blew past right tackle Mike McGlinchey and was chasing after Broncos quarterback Bo Nix when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground. Parsons clutched his knee as trainers and teammates came over to check on him. Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II walked onto the field and tapped Parsons on the shoulder pads before he left for the locker room.

It was the second significant injury for the Packers, who lost receiver Christian Watson to a chest injury after Surtain fell on him following a third-quarter interception.

Parsons was having a big game. He forced an early fumble and was credited with a pass breakup.

Parsons has 12 1/2 sacks this season after the Packers acquired him from Dallas in August for two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark. The Packers gave Parsons a four-year, $188 million contract with $136 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.

The 26-year-old Watson was hurt in the third quarter when Surtain made a diving interception and landed on top of him. Watson missed the start of the season as he recovered from tearing his ACL in Green Bay’s 2024 regular-season finale. He returned on Oct. 26 at Pittsburgh.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL