Zion Williamson’s return to the court wasn’t just ahead of schedule - it’s been a spark plug for a New Orleans Pelicans team that suddenly looks like it’s finding its groove.
After being projected to miss more time with an adductor injury, Williamson made his comeback on December 14 in a new role: coming off the bench. It’s not the kind of headline you expect for a player of his caliber, but interim head coach James Borrego had a plan - and so far, it’s working.
Rather than shake up a starting unit that’s been clicking, Borrego kept Saddiq Bey in the lineup. Bey’s been a steady presence for New Orleans, and the Pelicans have responded with their best stretch of the season: five straight wins, capped by a 119-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night.
And Williamson? He’s thriving in this sixth-man role.
Against Dallas, he led the team with 24 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-14 shooting clip - all in just 25 minutes. That’s the kind of production that turns heads, but more importantly, it shows how this new rotation is maximizing what Zion brings to the table.
Borrego called it a “math game” - a strategic approach to ensure Williamson’s minutes are as impactful as possible. “The goal was to maximize his minutes,” Borrego said. “I knew he was gonna respond well, but for him to approach it this way in the mature, team-first mentality - he deserves credit for that.”
It’s not always easy for a star to accept a bench role, even temporarily. But Williamson’s buy-in is paying off, and it’s helping a young Pelicans roster find its identity.
"The goal was to maximize his minutes. It's a math game... I knew he was gonna respond well but for him to approach it this way in the mature, team first mentality, he deserves credit for that"
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) December 23, 2025
-- James Borrego on Zion coming off the bench pic.twitter.com/IzuIS5KgAK
One of the most intriguing developments has been the chemistry between Williamson and Jordan Poole off the bench. That duo is giving New Orleans a dynamic scoring punch in the second unit, while allowing the starting group - featuring Derik Queen, Trey Murphy, and Jeremiah Fears - to settle into their roles without disruption.
Queen, in particular, has stepped up in a big way. His evolution into a reliable playmaking hub has opened up the floor for everyone, creating easier looks and better flow on both ends. It’s the kind of growth the Pelicans were hoping for when they handed him a bigger role, and it’s starting to pay dividends.
Sure, the sting of trading away that 2026 first-round pick still lingers - especially after the team’s rocky start to the season. But as the Pelicans continue to climb, that move doesn’t look nearly as costly as it once did.
This version of New Orleans - with Williamson anchoring the bench, Queen orchestrating the offense, and the supporting cast stepping up - is starting to look like a team that’s figuring it out. The pieces are clicking.
The energy is different. And if this is a glimpse of what’s to come, the Pelicans might be turning the corner at just the right time.