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New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson will be sidelined for at least the next three weeks with a right hamstring strain team announced on Tuesday. Williamson suffered the injury in Monday’s 120-111 loss to the 76ers in Philadelphia. He was eliminated late in the third quarter of the competition and did not return to action.
The loss obviously comes as a tough blow to the Pelicans and NBA fans in general given Williamson’s excellent basketball performance so far this season. With his highlight-friendly style of play, he averages 26 points, seven rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Durability has been a big concern for Williamson throughout his career, but this season he’s largely been able to stay healthy. He has missed just eight of the team’s 37 games so far, although that number is set to rise soon.
Williamson will join striker Brandon Ingram on the sidelines in New Orleans. Ingram has not played a game since late November due to a toe injury and it is unknown at this time when he will return to action. The Pelicans are now tasked with keeping up without these two guys in a hard-fought Western Conference. The Pelicans are currently 23-14 on the season and just one game away from the Western Conference No. 1 seed.
New Orleans will likely be wary of Williamson as he recovers from this injury given his overall importance to the franchise. His long-term health is more important than a few regular-season games in January.