Pelicans upgrade Zion to available for Bulls game

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson will be available against the Chicago Bulls on the road Thursday night after initially being listed as questionable with a toe sprain, according to the team.

Williamson was added to the injury report on Wednesday, a day after he struggled from the field in a 120-108 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Against the league’s top-ranked defense, Williamson went 5-of-19 from the field and was knocked to the ground several times.

Despite his shooting struggles, Williamson still finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists while going 10-of-14 from the free throw line against the visiting Bucks.

It is the first time Williamson has landed on the injury report since returning from the knee injury that cost him 44 games to start the season.

Initially, Williamson had tighter restrictions on his playing time, but he’s averaged 30.8 minutes in his past four games.

In his first seven games as a professional, Williamson is averaging 19.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54.6% from the field.