Zion Hits a Milestone, Nuggets Dodge a Bullet, and the Knicks’ Draft-and-Stash Takes an NCAA Detour
Pelicans: Zion Clears a Hurdle in His Comeback
The Pelicans’ five-game win streak came to a halt Tuesday night in Cleveland, but the bigger story might have been Zion Williamson quietly checking off a major box in his return journey.
For the first time in 14 months, Zion suited up for both ends of a back-to-back. That’s no small feat for a player whose career has been defined as much by rehab updates as rim-rocking dunks. He played 25 minutes Monday in Dallas, then followed it up with 21 more in Cleveland - his first back-to-back appearance since October 2024 and his fifth straight game played after missing six with an adductor strain.
“Z is progressing well,” Pelicans head coach James Borrego said before tip-off. “He looks well.
He’s getting in better shape every game, every day. His mentality is right.
His spirit is right. That’s the biggest thing for me.
The mindset is right. The body is coming along every day.”
It’s not just coach speak. Zion looked sharp offensively, dropping 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting against the Cavs.
That kind of efficiency is vintage Zion - downhill, decisive, and nearly impossible to stop once he gets a head of steam. But defensively, New Orleans struggled with him on the floor, getting outscored by 17 in his minutes.
That’s something the staff will want to tighten up, but for now, the priority is clear: keep Zion healthy, get him comfortable, and let the rest build from there.
Nuggets: Cameron Johnson Injury Not as Bad as Feared
There was a moment Tuesday night when it looked like the Nuggets might be staring down another major injury blow. Cameron Johnson went up for a defensive rebound, landed awkwardly, and immediately grabbed at his knee. It didn’t look good.
But the news out of Denver has been relatively encouraging. An MRI revealed a bone bruise in Johnson’s right knee, with no structural damage - a best-case scenario given the initial scare. He’ll still miss time, but the team avoided the kind of long-term absence that can derail a rotation.
Johnson had just started to find his rhythm after a slow start to the season. Since settling into his role, he’s averaged 14.6 points over his last 17 games while shooting a blistering 50.3% from the field and 52.3% from deep. That kind of spacing has been crucial for a Nuggets team adjusting to a new look after sending Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn in the offseason deal that brought Johnson to Denver.
With Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon already sidelined, Denver’s depth will be tested. Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones are being asked to do more, and if Johnson misses extended time, look for Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to see increased minutes. A Christmas Day return against Minnesota seems unlikely, but more clarity is expected by Thursday.
Knicks: James Nnaji Takes Unconventional Route Through Baylor
In a move that blurs the lines between pro and college basketball, Knicks draft-and-stash prospect James Nnaji has enrolled at Baylor and is immediately eligible to play this season.
Yes, you read that right - a player drafted in 2023 is now suiting up for a college team.
Nnaji, the 31st overall pick in last year’s draft, had his rights sent to New York as part of the Karl-Anthony Towns three-team blockbuster. He never signed an NBA contract and has been playing overseas since, most recently with Girona and Merkezefendi Basket on loan after starting his pro career with FC Barcelona.
Now, thanks to a ruling from the NCAA, Nnaji has been granted four years of eligibility. While international players joining NCAA programs after pro stints isn’t unheard of, doing so after being drafted is something new entirely. It gives the Knicks a rare opportunity: they can now track Nnaji’s development in the U.S. college system instead of from afar.
Baylor, meanwhile, gets a 6’10” big with pro experience and a clear path to playing time. The Bears’ frontcourt has been hit hard by injuries, and Nnaji’s physical presence and defensive instincts should make an immediate impact. He averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in limited minutes last season in Spain, and also logged time in Summer League with the Knicks back in July.
It’s an unusual route, but one that could benefit both Nnaji and the Knicks long-term. For New York, it’s a chance to keep a closer eye on a raw but promising big man. For Nnaji, it’s an opportunity to refine his game in a competitive college setting - with NBA eyes watching every step.