Zion Williamson Ruled Out of Play-In Tournament Elimination Game on Friday, per Report

Mike McDaniel | Apr 17, 2024

Apr 16, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) gets / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been ruled out for Friday night's NBA play-in elimination game against the Sacramento Kings due to a left hamstring injury suffered in Tuesday night's loss to the Lakers, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Williamson was forced to leave the game on Tuesday night after injuring his hamstring with three minutes to play in the game. The Pelicans forward had scored 40 points and grabbed 11 rebounds before leaving the contest. The Lakers ultimately sealed the win in Williamson's absence, clinching a playoff spot in the process.

The injury news surrounding Williamson could not come at a worse time for the Pelicans, who have enjoyed a full season of their young star at full health. Williamson played in 70 of the team's 82 regular season games, which is the most he's played since his second year in the league in 2020-21.

The Pelicans star averaged 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and five assists on 57.0% shooting from the floor and 33.3% shooting from three.

If the Pelicans beat the Kings and clinch the No. 8 spot, it's likely that Williamson will be unable to play for at least part of the first round playoff series against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder. In the team's official announcement of his injury on Wednesday, New Orleans said that Williamson would be reevaluated in two weeks.