NBA: Zion Williamson to miss play-in elimination game

Dec 4, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) gestures while talking with guard CJ McCollum (right) during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson will miss Friday’s play-in tournament elimination game against the Sacramento Kings due to a left hamstring strain.

An MRI on Wednesday confirmed the injury and the team said Williamson will be re-examined in approximately two weeks.

He departed with 3:13 remaining after scoring 40 points in a 110-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night in New Orleans.

The Lakers clinched the No. 7 seed in the NBA playoffs, while the Pelicans earned a do-or-die date at home Friday against the Kings. The winner will grab the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and will meet the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.

Williamson had just tied the score at 95-95 on Tuesday when he exited with an injury to his left leg. In addition to his game-high 40 points on 17-of-27 shooting, the two-time All-Star forward added 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block.

Williamson, 23, averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 70 games (all starts) this season. The 2019 No. 1 overall draft pick has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.5 boards and 4.1 assists in 184 games (all starts).

–Field Level Media/ Reuters

This article NBA: Zion Williamson to miss play-in elimination game was originally published in GMA News Online.