Pels' Zion Williamson to miss game vs. Luka Doncic, Mavericks with hip/back contusion

Williamson and Jones are two of the three Pelicans starters missing the game, along with Brandon Ingram, who suffered a concussion in the Pelicans' loss to the Jazz on Sunday. During that game, Zion took an awkward fall after he blocked Jordan Clarkson, and Clarkson returned the favor by blocking his dunk.

For his career, Zion has averaged 31.7 points in his three games against the Mavs. In their first matchup, Doncic had a triple-double with 30 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in Dallas' 127-123 overtime win. Zion went for 21 points and six rebounds.

In their second meeting, in 2021, Luka exploded for 46 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds on 17-of-30 shooting. Zion was no slouch with 36 points on a near-perfect 14-of-15 from the floor. Dallas prevailed in the defense-free game, 143-130. It was a career-high in points for both players and their last meeting on the court, besides the 2021 All-Star Game. Doncic had eight points, mostly on threes, and eight assists for Team LeBron, while Zion had 10 points, mostly on dunks, for Team Durant. 

Zion had 38 against Dallas in March 2021, a game Doncic missed with back soreness. Although it's now Zion's fourth season, we won't get a chance to see another legendary duel from these two players until Williamson and the hopefully full-strength Pelicans visit Dallas on Jan. 7.