Early in the second quarter Saturday night, Zion Williamson jumped and then landed on the foot of Utah Jazz guard Elijah Harkless.
Williamson’ right ankle rolled, forcing him to miss the remainder of the game.
He also missed Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers with the right ankle sprain, ending his career-best streak of 35 consecutive games played.
Williamson likely won’t be out long. He was initially listed as “questionable” for Sunday’s game before eventually being ruled out about an hour before tip-off.
That's good news for a player whose career has been plagued by injuries. He’s returned from injuries this season much sooner than he did in years past when the injuries tended to linger.
Credit all the people who have worked to make sure Williamson’s body has been in the best shape of his career. That includes both the Pelicans' staff and Williamson's own personal trainers. And also credit Williamson himself.
“There is an element of care factor that I’ve seen at a much higher level for him this year than I’ve ever seen before,” said Pelicans’ interim coach James Borrego. “That’s in his work and how he shows up and how he prepares his body and his mind. Those are all things that I can boil it down to. He’s raised his professionalism and I’m extremely proud of him that he’s taken it to another level. Now it’s about sustaining it,” Borrego said. “There is another level to get to.”
The good news for the Pelicans is they no longer have to rely on Williamson to carry so much of the load.
The Pelicans have more depth now, which was evident in Saturday’s 115-105 victory over the Jazz at the Delta Center.
Saturday’s win over Utah was the fourth straight win for the Pelicans. They had won six of their last eight games heading into Sunday’s late game against the Clippers.
In addition to missing Williamson in the second half Saturday, the Pelicans also played without Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy (right shoulder contusion). Murray, who returned Tuesday from last year’s Achilles injury, didn’t play Saturday since it was the first of back-to-back games. Despite missing so many weapons, the Pelicans still had enough firepower to build a 27-point lead and then stave off a Utah rally. It was the Pels’ seventh consecutive win against Utah.
“It was huge,” said rookie Jeremiah Fears about the Pelicans stepping up in Williamson’s absence. “Just being able to step out there and contribute. We know with the second group we are speed and space. We just continue to play fast move the ball and play together.”
Fears came off the bench and recorded his second career double double. He finished with 18 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and five assists.
“His poise, his playmaking settled us,” said Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego. “His pace. You felt him early. Especially when he rebounds like that, we’re gone. To rebound like that at his size and position just fuels our offense. And he continues to grow defensively, making havoc plays out there. I see a focused young man. I thought he was fantastic tonight.”
Saddiq Bey, fresh off Thursday’s 42-point outing against the Jazz, once again led the Pelicans in scoring with 24 points. Bey has averaged 25.2 points and 5 rebounds since the All-Star break, picking up some of the scoring slack in Murphy’s absence.
Herb Jones finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Bryce McGowens scored 18 points and knocked down 4-of-10 3-pointers.
The Pelicans had plenty of key contributions on the defensive end, too. They tied a season-high with 11 blocked shots. Ten of those blocks came from non-starters. Six different Pelicans blocked shots. Yves Missi had three in his first game back after missing the previous five games with a left calf strain.
The Pelicans got even more weapons back Sunday with both Murphy and Murray returning. Now the team is just waiting on Williamson. This time, the wait won't be as long.