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Pelicans reveal gloomy injury update for Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Pelicans president reveals gloomy injury update for Zion Williamson

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Apr 7, 2023 9:01 AM ET

Two weeks ago, the Pelicans announced forward Zion Williamson was progressing from his right hamstring injury and they'd provide an update in two weeks' time.

Well, here we are, and the organization released its injury report for Friday's home finale against the Knicks and confirmed Williamson remains out with his right hamstring strain.

Fans were hopeful that he could return for a postseason run, but Pelicans team president David Griffin revealed Williamson won't suit up again this season.

“After further evaluation, it has been determined that Zion Williamson will continue his rehabilitation and conditioning regimen," Griffin said. "We will continue to monitor his progression, and updates will be provided as warranted.”

Head coach Willie Green told reporters earlier this week he'd ideally have Williamson practice before he makes his return to the court. Unfortunately, that will not happen.

Zion update expected tomorrow. Asked Willie Green about Zion practicing before playing.

He said “ideally” you’d like for him to practice before returning. Didn’t say he had to though.

Pels have one practice left - Sat. in Minnesota.

Again, should learn more on Zion tomorrow.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 4, 2023

New Orleans secured a spot in the top 10 of the Western Conference with its 19-point comeback win over Memphis on Wednesday, meaning the team will at the very least make it to the play-in tournament. Per The Ringer, the Pelicans have an 83 percent chance of finishing between seventh and 10th in the West and are currently projected to finish eighth.

Their depth came in handy against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, and they'll need role players to continue playing bigger parts to make it past the play-in tournament. Per NBA Stats, the Pels had three players score at least 30 points with five made three-pointers against Memphis, becoming just the second team in NBA history to accomplish that feat.

Strangely enough, the first time it happened was just hours earlier by the Knicks.

It happened for the first time in NBA history earlier tonight... and now, for the second

Herb Jones, CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III have all eclipsed 30 points and 5 threes tonight https://t.co/SQVis5b7YJ pic.twitter.com/5OKy73nmCw
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) April 6, 2023

Herb Jones led the charge with 35 points, making New Orleans just the third team in NBA history to have seven players score 35 or more points in a game during a single season.

In last night’s win, Herb Jones became the 7th Pelican to score 35 points in a game this season.

The 2022-23 Pelicans join the 1970-71 SuperSonics and 2020-21 Raptors as the only teams in NBA history to have 7 different players score 35+ in a game in the same season.
— Pelicans PR (@PelicansPR) April 6, 2023

While the Pels have the talent to make one of the top seeds sweat in the first round — if they make it that far — not having Williamson severely limits how far this team can go.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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