The best game of Zion Williamson’s young professional career ended abruptly, and in unfortunate fashion.
The 23-year-old forward scored a game-high 40 points for the Pelicans in their Play-In game against the Lakers.
But late in the fourth quarter of Williamson’s sterling postseason debut, he appeared to be in pain after scoring a clutch bucket to tie the score. Moments later, he went to the locker room as LA called a timeout. He missed the final three minutes of the 110-106 loss.
Williamson’s first postseason game came after he appeared in a career-high 70 games for New Orleans during the regular season. That he missed the final minutes of a crucial game is a concerning development, for Williamson and for his team.
The Pelicans received further bad news the next day, when it was reported Williamson would miss Friday’s elimination game against the Kings, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Here is what we know about Williamson’s injury and what it means for his status moving forward.
MORE: Recap, highlights from Lakers’ thrilling Play-In win over Pelicans
What is Zion Williamson’s injury?
Williamson suffered a hamstring injury, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The 23-year-old underwent imaging on his leg Wednesday to determine the extent of the injury, and he’ll have it re-evaluated “in the coming weeks,” per Wojnarowski.
Pelicans head coach Willie Green initially said Williamson was dealing with “left leg soreness.”
Here is the play in which Williamson appeared to injure his left leg.
How long will Zion Williamson be out?
Williamson will not play against the Kings on Friday. Should the Pelicans survive without their star, they might have to continue without him for some time, as Wojnarowski noted he would be “evaluated again in coming weeks.”
That would certainly appear to indicate Williamson will be out for multiple weeks, potentially derailing New Orleans’ postseason hope.
Pelicans Play-In Tournament schedule
New Orleans will host the No. 9 seed Kings at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19.
| Date | Opponent | TIme (ET) | TV channel |
| April 19 | vs. Kings | 9:30 p.m. | TNT |
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