When the New Orleans Pelicans square off against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight, they will do so without Zion Williamson. This will mark the 43rd straight game (and 51st overall) that the team has been without their superstar, who has been nursing a strained hamstring injury he suffered on January 2nd against the Philadelphia 76ers.
While this news comes as another devastating blow in a season that has been chock full of them, there could be some good news coming down the pipeline shortly.
Yesterday, we talked about how Williamson had been engaging in some low-impact physical activity and how the team was still hopeful that he would return before the conclusion of the regular season.
Today, it was also reported by The Athletic’s Will Guillory that we should expect to see an update regarding Williamson’s potential return tomorrow.
For those waiting, I'd expect the update on Zion Williamson's status to come tomorrow
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) April 5, 2023
After tonight’s game, the Pelicans will only have two regular season games remaining, so hopefully, Williamson can participate in at least one of those games in order to get his sea legs under him for play-in/playoff festivities (to learn how the NBA Play-In Tournament works, check out this post here).
While they wait on the Williamson update, the Pelicans did get some other good news in regard to tonight’s matchup. Memphis is expected to rest both Ja Morant and Luke Kennard tonight, which is huge because a win tonight guarantees that the Pelicans will at least be the ninth-seed (ensuring them a spot in the play-in tournament).
Pels notes for today:
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 5, 2023
- Zion update expected tomorrow
- Grizzlies likely resting Ja / Kennard tonight
- Enter tonight at No. 8
- Knicks are locked into No. 5 in East, Brunson resting tonight (Knicks at Pels on Friday)
- A win vs Memphis locks Pels into 9 seed or higher
On top of missing those two, the Grizzlies will be without Steven Adams (knee), Brandon Clarke (achilles), Ziaire Williams (foot/ankle), and Jake LaRavia (calf).
For New Orleans, along with Williamson, the team will also be without Jose Alvarado (tibia) and E.J. Liddell (knee).
Coincidentally enough, the Pelicans’ only win against the Grizzlies this season came on November 15th – a game that Williamson also did not participate in.
Overall, the team is 17-12 when Williamson plays and 23-27 without him.