Alvin Gentry said that Zion Williamson's minutes restriction kept him off the court during the final minutes of the New Orleans Pelicans' 106-104 loss to the Utah Jazz.

Williamson, who was limited to 15 minutes, left the game for good with 7:19 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Pelicans up four points.

"Of course we wish we could've played him down the stretch, but we used the minutes that were given to us and that's the way it is ... the medical people said we played them in the minutes that were allowed for us to play him, and just move on ... I thought he had some good moments, and obviously we're a much better and different team when he's out on the floor," said Gentry after the game.

Williamson, who finished with 13 points, admitted that he still had to regain his rhythm after leaving quarantine on Tuesday.

"Honestly, I don't know how long it'll take. I guess maybe a couple games," said Williamson after the game. 

All players, coaches and the three referees taking part in the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans knelt along the sidelines behind the words "Black Lives Matter" on the court for the national anthem. The players also wore "Black Lives Matter" shirts.

The game between the Jazz and the Pelicans is the first of the NBA's return.

"I respect our teams' unified act of peaceful protest for social justice and under these unique circumstances will not enforce our long-standing rule requiring standing during the playing of our national anthem," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement to ESPN.

Rayjon Tucker had his right elbow bent and a fist raised during the anthem.

Michele Roberts appeared to wipe away tears.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz are discussing a plan to surround the Black Lives Matter signage on the court and kneel together during the national anthem.

The game on Thursday is the first of the NBA restart.

The Pelicans and Jazz are adamant that they want to display a united front.

The league is not expected to enforce a 1981 anthem policy that says "players, coaches and trainers are to stand and line up in a dignified posture along the sidelines or on the foul line."

Other teams are also expected to protest during the playing of the anthem.

Zion Williamson has cleared quarantine and will return to practice with the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.

Williamson left the NBA's campus for several days to tend to an urgent family matter. Williamson was tested for COVID-19 every day he was gone, which allowed him to quarantine for four days upon his return.

The New Orleans Pelicans expect Zion Williamson to join the team for practice on Wednesday. The Pelicans will play on Thursday against the Utah Jazz.

Williamson returned to Orlando on Friday after leaving the NBA's campus for a family emergency. Williamson was gone for eight days and took COVID-19 tests daily while he was away.

"In theory, his quarantine would end Tuesday afternoon-ish," Griffin said on Monday. "The problem is he has to test and get the results before they release him."

Williamson fit in light workouts while he was gone.

"Literally any player on our roster who went 13 days without doing any physical activity, it isn't going to be a given that we would just cut them loose in that next game," David Griffin said. "Particularly a player that generates as much torque as he does. So we will see where he's at."

Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart will miss the scrimmage between the New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets on Saturday after undergoing minor dental procedures.

Jamal Murray will miss the game due to hamstring soreness.

The Nuggets will also hold out Will Barton and Gary Harris from the scrimmage. 

The NBA has decided that Zion Williamson will only need to quarantine for four days. The four-day quarantine period for Williamson began on Friday night.

Williamson will be cleared to rejoin the New Orleans Pelicans in time for Thursday's opener against the Utah Jazz assuming he continues to test negative.

Williamson left the NBA's campus to attend to a family matter.

Zion Williamson returned to the Orlando bubble on Friday night, confirmed the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Williamson left the bubble on July 16th due to a family emergency. 

"My family and I appreciate the love and respect that everyone showed us while we dealt with a private family matter. I'm excited to rejoin my team in Orlando and look forward to getting back on the court with my teammates after quarantine," released Williamson in a statement.

Williamson's quarantine period should last only four days as he was tested outside of the bubble.

Williamson's status for the Pelicans' opening game against the Jazz on Thursday is in question, with the team being cautious with his return.

Zion Williamson, who departed the NBA campus in Orlando last week to attend to an urgent family matter, has been getting tested daily for COVID-19 while away from the team and continues to produce negative results.

While there is no current timetable for his return to campus, he fully intends to rejoin the team. Per NBA protocol, his quarantine period will be determined upon his return. 

Zion Williamson missed parts of practice with the New Orleans Pelicans this week due to leg cramping.

Sources say Williamson did not leave the bubble due to the cramping as he tends to an urgent family medical matter.

Williamson was spotted being attended to by medical personnel at a recent practice, but he's "fine" physically, according to a source.