In the first game of the 2024 postseason, we already had our first gut-wrenching injury. With just over three minutes remaining in the Western Conference’s 7-8 play-in game and the Pelicans and Lakers tied up, Zion Williamson, having just hit the 40-point mark, grimaced and motioned to the bench, and at the next timeout he left his seat and walked back to the locker room angrily.
New Orleans coach Willie Green called the injury “left leg soreness.” Williamson is set to get imaging done on Wednesday. Here’s the play where Williamson appeared to injure himself.
Williamson didn’t return and the Lakers wound up winning the game 110-106 to secure the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. They will take on No. 2 Denver in the first round.
For New Orleans, which will now face the winner of the Warriors-Kings game on Friday in a win-or-go-home matchup for the No. 8 seed, all attention turns to the extent of Williamson’s injury.
Perhaps there’s some good news on that front. Though it’s obviously nothing official, The Athletic’s Will Guillory observed Williamson leaving the arena without a limp and without any visible wrap on his leg.
Rod Walker of The Times-Piscayune shared a similarly positive sentiment.
Obviously the Pelicans are crossing their organizational fingers that Zion can make it back for Friday’s game, but even if that ends up being the case, this was brutal for the Pelicans, who were in position to secure their spot after storming back against the Lakers. They had all the momentum behind Williamson, who, considering the stage, was having the best game of his NBA career. He finished with 40 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
