New Orleans Pelicans Lose Major Player Before Playoffs

New Orleans Pelican Forward Zion Williamson Won't Be Playing at Friday's Play-in Tournament.

According to ESPN, Williamson sustained an injury ruling him out before Friday's play-in tournament against Sacramento. ESPN said; "New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has been ruled out of Friday's play-in tournament elimination game against the Sacramento Kings". The Pelicans said that an MRI confirmed an inury on his left hamstring and will be evaluated in two weeks.

Several Play-in Predictions Now Favor the Sacramento Kings to Beat the New Orleans Pelicans.

According to The New York Post, once it was known that Zion Williamson would miss Friday’s game, "New Orleans fell to a 1.5-point underdog" which has now put the "Kings in the driver’s seat to grab the West’s eighth and final playoff spot." It wasn't just that that took a hit, "The Pelicans’ NBA and conference title odds also took a hit."
This isn't the first time that Williams has missed games. He missed two play-in games in 2022 because of injury as well and it was also during their playoff series. Zion Williamson once scored 43 points in a game against the Timberwolves on December 28, 2022.