Pelicans announce that Zion Williamson, who was diagnosed with a grade 1 left hamstring strain on November 4, continues to progress well through his rehabilitation and has been cleared to resume on-court basketball activities with contact. His return to play progression will be… pic.twitter.com/yJwpoXI1q3

Pelicans star Zion Williamson, who as missed the last five games with a hamstring strain, has been cleared to resume on-court basketball activities with contact, the team announced Thursday.

The Lakers led 65-52 at the break. The Pelicans, who have struggled in the third quarter, were outscored by only 30-25. The Pelicans trailed by as many as 22 at one point in the third quarter, but cut it to 95-85 with 8:58 in the fourth on a Jose Alvarado 3-pointer. Alvarado’s trey capped off a 10-0 run.

New Orleans finds itself in complete disarray just six games into the season. One proposed solution? Dealing away its best player.