The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-109 on Saturday night. New Orleans is 5-19 on the season and suffered another major injury, with Brandon Ingram injuring his ankle in the third quarter. New Orleans was beginning to get healthy, recently welcoming back Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, and Herb Jones.
The Pelicans released their injury report for Sunday's game versus the San Antonio Spurs, and Zion Williamson is out again with a hamstring injury. Williamson has played in just six games this year after having the healthiest year of his career last season, playing 70 games. The former All-Star forward averages 22 points a game but is shooting a career-low 45% from the field.
ZION BLOCKS IT AT THE BUZZER.
PELICANS WIN IN PORTLAND. pic.twitter.com/Hu11CNZCAX
— NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2024
Zion's lengthy injury history has created a stir among fans because of his lack of availability on the court. Since being drafted by the Pelicans in 2019, Williamson has participated in less than 50% of his team's games. He has yet to play in a playoff series, and now he is out indefinitely due to his latest hamstring injury. No timetable is set for his return as the Pelicans struggle to escape their early-season hole.
ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that Williamson had injections in his hamstring earlier in the recovery process and "is not close to returning."
Reporting for NBA Countdown with the latest on injured Pelicans star Zion Williamson: pic.twitter.com/KUKoi1mEZb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 23, 2024
New Orleans has an interesting decision to make regarding Branon Ingram's future soon, and many wonder whether the team would rely solely on an injury-prone player like Williamson to be the future of the franchise.
Tip-off against the Thunder is set for 6:00 p.m. CST.
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