Along the way, Williamson, who is slated to suit up against Sacramento on Wednesday night, has missed 243 of 444 regular-season games since being drafted first overall out of Duke in 2019. “Zion has dealt with a great number of challenges, some of which were sort of his own doing, quite frankly," Griffin said. “And he would tell you that.”

After winning five of six games, the New Orleans Pelicans have lost four consecutive games and now head into one of their toughest tests of the season. The Pelicans host the Boston Celtics on Friday, bringing the defending champs into Smoothie King Center.