New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was cleared Thursday for contact activity in practice after missing the past five games with a hamstring injury.

Williamson, 25, was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on Nov. 4. He averaged 22.8 points with 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists while playing in five of the first six games this season.

The team said in a statement that a return to game action “will be updated appropriately.”

Jordan Poole, who has missed the past four games with a knee injury, is also progressing, according to head coach Willie Green. Poole has not yet been cleared for practice.

The team is expected to be without Dejounte Murray at least until January after Achilles surgery earlier this year.

Williamson, who has struggled with injuries since he was drafted No. 1 overall by New Orleans in 2019, has averaged 24.6 points through 219 career starts, with 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

–Field Level Media