Zion ‘definitely' expects to play in Warriors-Pelicans clash

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As the Warriors look to fix their road woes, the latter half of their upcoming two-game trip will feature a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans with Zion Williamson back in the lineup.

The star forward suffered a right foot contusion last Saturday against the Houston Rockets and has missed three straight games. Williamson told reporters his foot "feels a lot better" after returning to practice Saturday.

"As of now, I can say I'm definitely playing Monday," Williamson said. "I don't see why I wouldn't at this point. I had enough time off it, the pain seems gone at this point."

Across his 11 games to start the 2022-23 NBA season, Williamson is averaging 23.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.9 rebounds.

In the Pelicans' 114-105 win over the Warriors on Nov. 4, Williamson played 28 minutes and scored 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field with three rebounds and one assist. Warriors starters Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins or Klay Thompson didn't play. 

The Warriors are winless on the road (0-8) so far and first will take on the Rockets on Sunday at Toyota Center, followed by the Pelicans on Monday at Smoothie King Center.

Before Golden State's 111-101 win over the New York Knicks on Friday night at Chase Center, coach Steve Kerr said the Warriors (7-9) will need improved defense as they head out on the road.

"If you’re poor defensively, it’s really hard to win on the road,” Kerr said. “You need to be able to string together stops to get momentum and keep the home crowd out of it. If you’re trading baskets, the other team is feeling good and it’s really hard to win that way.

“The road record is directly connected to defense.”

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Whether the Warriors still are looking for their first road win come Monday against New Orleans or their second, Williamson on the floor for the Pelicans certainly will make that task harder. 

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