Pelicans Injury Report: Doubts Over Zion Williamson’s Fitness Adds To New Orleans Grief

Published 02/25/2024, 12:00 PM EST

The New Orleans Pelicans showcased impressive form leading up to the All-Star break, securing victories in seven out of eight games. Continuing their success after the break, Willie Green’s team extended their winning streak by triumphing over the Houston Rockets. Unfortunately, in the absence of Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans faced a setback with an 11-point loss to the Miami Heat on Friday night.

To avoid further losses and maintain their position in the standings, fans are hopeful for Zion Williamson’s presence in the upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls tonight.

Pelicans fans will be disappointed to hear that the team has included three key players on the injury report. Both CJ McCollum and Dyson Daniels won’t be participating in the upcoming game. Additionally, there is uncertainty surrounding the availability of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, as they are currently labeled as “questionable.”

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Dealing with left foot contusions for several weeks, Williamson has shown resilience by playing in eight of the nine games in February despite the injury. The 6’6 forward is anticipated to continue his efforts by suiting up for the upcoming game, aiming to secure a victory and prevent the Dallas Mavericks from overtaking the Pelicans in the standings.

Zion Williamson fouled pretty badly

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The highly anticipated showdown between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Miami Heat on February 23rd lived up to fans’ expectations, delivering an action-packed spectacle. Adding intensity to the closely contested match, Kevin Love’s hard foul on Zion Williamson led to the ejection of four players.

In the final quarter, Love grappled aggressively with Williamson, causing the latter to take a forceful fall. Nanji Marshall and Jimmy Butler jumped to Williamson’s defense, sparking a heated altercation that escalated into a significant scuffle. Just when things seemed to settle, Jose Alvarado and Thomas Bryant engaged in a quarrel on the scorer’s table.

Despite Butler’s absence in the final period, Zion couldn’t rally his team to victory. Bam Adebayo’s impressive performance in the fourth quarter, with 12 points and 4 rebounds, propelled the Florida team to a 106-95 win.

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With their 23rd loss of the season, the Pelicans now hold just a 0.5-game lead over the #6 Dallas Mavericks and a 1-game lead over the #8 Phoenix Suns. With the Western Conference playoff race intensifying, the Pelicans can’t afford to rest their players for the rest of the season. A strong performance could see them clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2022, bypassing the play-in tournament.

$50,000 Fine & Suspension Scare for Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and 3 Other Heat Players for Brawl vs Pelicans

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Written by:

Jayati Bhattacharjee is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports. She holds a degree in English, carrying a passion for writing which reflects in her research oriented, lifestyle pieces encompassing NBA entities. At the ES NewsDesk, she also covers her astute analysis on injury reports.

Edited by:

Bilal Handoo

Pelicans Injury Report: Doubts Over Zion Williamson’s Fitness Adds To New Orleans Grief

Zion Williamson fouled pretty badly

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