The Pelicans announced Friday that Zion Williamson will be out indefinitely after a CT scan revealed a fractured left ring finger.
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New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson is out for an indefinite period of time with a fractured left ring finger. An injury that Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said was “avoidable” if the NBA did a better job officiating his franchise superstar.
Griffin didn’t specify when the injury occurred. But, Williamson hurt his finger while attempting a rebound in Tuesday’s 108-103 win over the Golden State Warriors. With roughly nine minutes left in the third quarter, Williamson suffered the injury that threatens his season.
Williamson, who is left-handed, underwent a CT scan prior to the team leaving for Philadelphia that revealed the injury. A treatment plan, timetable for his return will be determined after further evaluation.
But Williamson isn’t the only Pelican dealing with a significant injury. Brandon Ingram is all but out of the season with a left ankle sprain. With only six games left on the schedule, there just isn’t much time for them to make a comeback. On Friday alone, they will be without Williamson, Ingram, Josh Hart, Steven Adams and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
With several players out, New Orleans’ already slim playoff hopes are on life support. The Pelicans team is below San Antonio Spurs, who are seeded 10th in the standings. At full strength, they might have been able to mount a comeback and earn the Western Conference’s final play-in spot. However, with the NBA’s schedule and with neither of their stars, it appears as though the Pelicans might miss out on that playoff spot.
The Pelicans stayed alive this long because their transcendent second-year superstar was good enough to keep them afloat. Now he’s out, and New Orleans is heading towards one of the most important off seasons in franchise history.
Zion Williamson had been averaging 27 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists this season with a 69.8 free throw percentage.
The Pelicans head into Friday night’s matchup against the 76ers one-and-a-half games behind the Spurs for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
