Zion Williamson returns from illness for Pelicans | Pelicans

The news wasn’t all bad for the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.

On a day when the Pelicans learned they would be without starter Dejounte Murray indefinitely due to a fracture in his left hand, they also got their best player back.

Zion Williamson returned to practice after missing practice on Tuesday and also missing Wednesday’s season-opening win over the Chicago Bulls. He completed a full training session.

“This will be good for our next games,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “…So far it looks like he’s doing well.”

The Pelicans (1-0) begin a four-game road trip on Friday when they play the Portland Trail Blazers. The Pels won their season opener without Williamson.

Green’s starting lineup in the season opener consisted of Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram and Daniel Theis. Murray broke his hand in the fourth quarter and will be out indefinitely.

Williamson averaged 22.9 points and 5 assists last season as he played in a career-high 70 games.

“When he’s out there, we’re definitely a better and different team,” guard Jose Alvarado said. “I’m glad he’s feeling better and is back with us. We just have to keep going now.”