NBA Power Rankings: Bulls visiting New Orleans before expected Zion Williamson debut

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Excitement is building in New Orleans, where Zion Williamson went through a full practice last week and could make his regular season debut before the end of January.

Williamson told reporters he believes he was ready for game action a couple weeks ago, but the organization will be extremely cautious with the face of the franchise. Reports coming out of New Orleans even suggesting the medical staff is breaking down the way Zion walks and runs to come up with a plan for minimizing future injury risk.

Even without Zion, the Pelicans are starting to come around after a miserable start, winning six of their last 10 games. Lonzo Ball is finally looking comfortable in a new system, turning in a 27-10-10 triple-double against Houston on Dec. 29, and just missing another triple-double on Saturday in a win at Sacramento.

Brandon Ingram has a chance to make the Western Conference All-Star team as the featured player in the Zion-less offense. Ingram is averaging 24.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.1% from the field and 40.1% from 3-point range.

David Griffin was hired to take over basketball operations last summer and he’s almost completely turned over the Pelicans’ roster. Ingram, Ball and Josh Hart came over in the trade with the Lakers, while Griffin did some wheeling and dealing on draft night to acquire promising big man Jaxson Hayes and combo guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The Pels also added veterans J.J. Redick and Derrick Favors to bring some experience to the locker room.

Until Williamson takes the court, it’s hard to say how far away the Pelicans are from becoming a playoff contender in the West, but the Bulls will get a firsthand look Wednesday night at Smoothie King Center.

Now it’s on to the power rankings.

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