The Pelican’s fourth year star is once again on the injury report, but hopefully not for long. In Sunday’s loss against the Jazz, Williamson went up for a dunk on a fastbreak but Jordan Clarkson blocked him from behind. This caused Williamson to fall hard on his side. He was in obvious pain as he laid on the court for a few seconds before getting up and making his way to the sidelines. Williamson then went back to the locker room and did not return to the game.
The first overall pick was diagnosed with a posterior hip contusion, which is essentially a really bad bruise on the outside of his hip. “Z’s fall could’ve been much worse and doesn’t seem like it is,” Pelicans head coach Willie Green said on Monday. “Sore. Bruises. Nothing catastrophic, but something we have to monitor over the next few days.” Williamson was questionable leading up to Tuesday’s game, but was eventually ruled out.
Things are looking better for Zion’s availability for Friday’s matchup with the Suns, but there is certainly no guarantee he will play. Giving Williamson a full week off would be the safest move given his injury history, but considering that the Pelican’s are also missing Brandon Ingram and Herbert Jones, they may want to get Zion back out there sooner rather than later. Expect less than 100% from Williamson if he is back out there on Friday.
