Zion set for imaging after exiting vs. Lakers with injury
Star Zion Williamson exited the New Orleans Pelicans' play-in loss Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers with a little over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter due to an injury.
Pelicans head coach Willie Green told reporters postgame that Williamson injured his left leg and would receive imaging Wednesday, according to Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans Podcast.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Williamson had to leave the game due to a left hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old appeared to suffer the injury while driving to the basket against Lakers forward Anthony Davis.
Zion Williamson slammed a towel in frustration and went back to the locker room with an apparent injury after scoring his 40th point on this play 👇 pic.twitter.com/iZqUlFxPF0
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 17, 2024
Williamson recorded 40 points, five assists, and 11 rebounds in Tuesday's contest, spurring the Pelicans to an 18-point second-half comeback. Williamson left with the game tied 93-93.
Led by D'Angelo Russell and Davis, the Lakers pulled away after Williamson's exit to win 110-106.
The Pelicans will play against the Golden State Warriors or Sacramento Kings on Friday for the West's No. 8 seed.
Due to injuries, Williamson has appeared in only 184 games over his five-year NBA career. He played 24 contests in his rookie campaign before suffering a torn meniscus. Williamson missed the playoffs in his second year after breaking his ring finger. The former Duke Blue Devil missed the entire 2021-22 season with a foot injury, and a hamstring injury ended his 2022-23 campaign after 29 matchups.
The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and five assists while playing a career-high 70 games this season.