Zion Williamson put his superstar potential on full display in the 2020-21 season. Unfortunately, we haven't seen the one-time All-Star take the court since.
Williamson wasn't expected to miss the entire 2021-22 season when it was first announced that he was rehabbing a fractured foot, but he ended up being sidelined for all 82 games.
Williamson has been cleared to play without restrictions for several months now and word out of training camp is that he's looked "amazing." Does that mean he'll play in the team's preseason opener against the Bulls?
Here's what we know about Williamson's status going into Tuesday's game.
Is Zion Williamson playing vs. Bulls tonight?
The Pelicans have not listed Williamson on the injury report for the team's matchup with the Bulls, clearing the way for him to make his long-awaited return.
Don't expect Williamson to play much, though.
"We have a minutes window that we want to play the guys, probably no more than 20 minutes," Pelicans head coach Willie Green said ahead of Tuesday's game. "Same thing for our second unit, it will probably be in the like 20-minute range. We'll see what it looks like."
The Pelicans selected Williamson with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He appeared in 24 games in his rookie season, posting averages of 22.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest. He then earned his first All-Star selection in his sophomore season with averages of 27.0 points and 7.2 rebounds per game on 61.1 percent shooting from the field.
In the 2022 offseason, Williamson signed a five-year extension with the Pelicans worth up to $231 million.
What channel is Pelicans vs. Bulls on?
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 4
- TV channel (USA): TNT
- TV channel (New Orleans): N/A
- TV channel (Chicago): NBC Sports Chicago Plus
Pelicans vs. Bulls will air on TNT in the United States. In Chicago, the game will be broadcast on NBCSCH+.
Broadcast information is not listed for New Orleans.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV. Stream Sling Orange for $35/month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBATV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $46/month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
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Pelicans vs. Bulls start time
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 4
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET | 6:30 p.m PT
Pelicans vs. Bulls is scheduled to tip off shortly after 9:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 4. The game will be played at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Pelicans preseason schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Oct. 4 | at Bulls | 9:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 7 | vs. Pistons | 8 p.m. |
| Oct. 9 | at Spurs | 7 p.m. |
| Oct. 12 | at Heat | 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 14 | vs. Hawks | 8 p.m. |
Bulls preseason schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Oct. 4 | vs. Pelicans | 9:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 7 | vs. Nuggets | 8 p.m. |
| Oct. 9 | at Raptors | 6 p.m. |
| Oct. 11 | vs. Bucks | 8 p.m. |