1:30pm: After undergoing an MRI, Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain, according to the Pelicans (Twitter link). He’ll be reevaluated in approximately two weeks, meaning that he’ll remain sidelined well beyond Friday’s play-in game if New Orleans advances.
12:51pm: Star forward Zion Williamson will be unavailable for the Pelicans when they host the Kings on Friday in the Western Conference’s final play-in game, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
Williamson exited Tuesday’s game, a Pelicans loss to the Lakers, with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter due to an apparent left leg injury. Subsequent reporting suggested Williamson was dealing with a left hamstring ailment, which Wojnarowski confirms.
According to Woj, Williamson will be evaluated again in the “coming weeks.” That wording suggests that the former No. 1 overall pick wouldn’t be available to open round one of the playoffs if New Orleans defeats Sacramento on Friday.
It’s a brutal blow for the Pelicans, who were one win away from securing the No. 6 seed in the West and avoiding the play-in tournament altogether. However, they couldn’t beat the Lakers on Sunday, and that lost forced them to face the Lakers again on Tuesday in the No. 7 vs. 8 play-in game.
Williamson, who was coming off the healthiest season of his five-year NBA career (he started 70 games), had a huge night on Tuesday before injuring his hamstring, racking up 41 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists to keep the Pelicans in the game. It was tied at 95 when he checked out, but Los Angeles pulled out the 110-106 victory.
Tuesday’s game was the first time Williamson had played in the postseason at the NBA level. He missed the team’s two play-in games and first-round series in 2022 and was also on the shelf for its lone play-in game in 2023.
Williamson’s fellow star forward Brandon Ingram returned on Sunday from a left knee bone bruise, but doesn’t appear to be at 100% — he logged just 25 minutes on Tuesday and New Orleans was outscored by 16 points when he was on the court. With Williamson unavailable and Ingram not operating at full strength, the Pelicans are in danger of missing the playoffs entirely for a second straight year.
Brutal news for New Orleans. I honestly feel bad for Zion
He’s played 184gms in 5yrs. Means he’s missed 226 gms in 5yrs. He did what he always does. Misses the game. Ingram choked.
He played 70 this year and was in better shape
Bad take Al. He didn’t miss the game. He was the only reason that game was close. Ingram and CJ definitely let them down but if Zion gives you 40 and the rest of the team is can’t pull it together for the last 4 minutes…. Not really on Z.
He missed cause he’s still not in NBA shape. What part is there. A hamstring is notoriously an out of shape injury. He’s not committed at this weight. This is who he is. He’s missed 60% of his GMs. Why would this surprise anyone.
Im honestly not sure which part of that game you watched and said to yourself “Zion isn’t in NBA shape”. He went directly after AD (someone who will make All NBA because of his defense) for 3 quarters.
If Zion isn’t NBA ready then neither is Embiid, and he won an MVP. I’d take my chances.
“He did what he always does” is pretty ironic coming from a Knicks fan. Might wanna put some research in on Playoff Thibs buddy lol
Wow. Devastating for NO. Devastating for Zion. You could tell how badly he wanted to close out last night.
Kings just got handed a mircale. Unfortunately, I can almost feel CJ warming up to hit 10 3s in 3 quarters… gonna be exciting.
Unfortunately CJ pretty much disapears in the playoffs. Always has. If he goes off for the play in, it wont matter going forward. He is inconsistent at best on offense and will get cooked on defense every night.
I just watched Keegan Murray and Keon Ellis fully take over a play in game.
Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum can certainly flip that switch and have before.
As a Kings fan, it definitely matters moving forward lol.
This is awful, the Kings have a golden opportunity.
But the Pels are still a nice team and if BI plays like BI, they might get this win regardless! But they absolutely need Zion in the 1st round if they make it otherwise okc sweeping
Great news for my Hawks tho. Getting this #16 pick for Kevin Huerter is looking like a pretty good deal for us so far. Now we just gotta use it right. I got us taking Hansen Yang with that pick but there’s a bunch of different ways they can use it.
As a kings fan I hope they make it, if only so that pick can convey
Brutal. Zion played great! However, Pelicans are now toast. Brandon Ingram won’t play hurt and CJ has been MIA. Coach Green seems to be over his head too.
Sac vs Okc right?
Zion showed up, was playing. Unfortunately his biggest nemesis still winning. Now his Team will lose. Again
And where was Ingram and McCollum (no shows). I would trade Ingram. He only wants a contract. Zion will always deal with In-shape issues. I’m N.O. I trade both of them.….
Ingram so reminds me what my fellow Dallas Cowboys friends are enduring right now with Dak Prescott. Theres no good answers really
Good comparison. Plenty talent …… but
And it continues.