New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson had been on an absolute tear this season. But now the Pels will be without their star and former first-overall pick.
Zion suffered a strained right hamstring in the Pelicans‘ game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. That injury is now set to sideline him for at least three weeks.
The team revealed the news about their star player in a tweet on their account.
“Pelicans announced that medical imaging taken earlier today confirmed forward Zion Williamson sustained a right hamstrings train during last night’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Williamson will be re-evaluated in three weeks,” the team announced.
Zion currently sits 16th in the NBA in points per game at 26.0 with a field goal percentage of 60.8. He’s also shooting 36.8 percent on three-pointers and 71.4 percent on free throws with 7.0 rebounds per game, to boot.
In December, the former Duke star averaged 29.8 points per game as he led them to a 10-5 record in the month.
Reactions tricked out after news about Williamson’s injury timetable broke.
Pelicans writer Will Guillory of The Athletic put it in perspective. Guillory wrote, “The last time Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum were all on the floor together was Nov. 21. Now, there’s a chance it may not happen again until February.”
Fantasy basketball writer @aburnshoops tweeted that it was “Awful news for so many reasons.”
Baton Rouge-area reporter John Walton also tweeted as Walton said that he hated the news for Zion and his team.
Man…hate this for him and the team. He's been playing incredible https://t.co/RliuY6yXm3
— John Walton (@John_Walton_) January 3, 2023
And FOX 8 Louisiana’s Jesse Brooks offered a very glass-half-full take.
Zion out 3 or more weeks hurts
But that’s why you try to win as many games as you can early in the season. Injuries are inevitable and early wins pay off late in the season
That’s a hit to his MVP campaign but hopefully BI will also return and they can lighten workloads
— Jesse Brooks (@jessecbrooks) January 4, 2023