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New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson cleared to return without restrictions, paving way for 2022-23 return

Zion Williamson has been cleared in his return to play progression without any restrictions, the New Orleans Pelicans announced on Thursday afternoon.

The announcement clears the way for Williamson to go through offseason workouts unrestricted this summer as he prepares for the 2022-23 season. Williams missed the entire 2021-22 season after he broke the right fifth metatarsal in his foot during offseason workouts last summer.

There was hope Williamson could have played during the season but setbacks prevented that from happening. There was an outside chance Williamson could have returned if the eighth-seeded Pelicans made a deep run in the playoffs, but the team fell in six games to the top-seeded Phoenix Suns in the first round.