Blazers News: Pelicans to Face Portland Without Star Forward Zion Williamson

Ricardo Klein | 14 Hours Ago

Oct 25, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons (1) dribbles the ball while defended by New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson (1) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images / Soobum Im-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Pelicans will face the Portland Trail Blazers without their best player, star forward Zion Williamson.

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Williamson has been ruled out for Wednesday's game due to injury maintenance.

Zion Williamson ruled out Wednesday vs. Blazers on Pelicans' second night of back-to-back games https://t.co/dTiiRfY3XK via @nolanews

— Rod Walker (@RodWalkerNola) January 8, 2025

Williamson returned from a 27-game absence on Tuesday as New Orleans faced the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He recorded 22 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the field, along with six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block in 28 minutes.

As expected, the two-time All-Star will sit out the second leg of this back-to-back set. With Williamson sidelined, the Pelicans could give Brandon Boston and Javonte Green an additional run against Portland.

After Tuesday’s game against Minnesota, Williamson was asked about the possibility of playing on back-to-back nights so soon after missing the past two months with a hamstring injury.

“I have to talk to the team about that and go from there,” Williamson said.

Williamson also added what it felt like to be back on the court after missing the last two months.

"It was definitely good to be back out there," Williamson said.

Although the 2024-25 season is not the best for the Blazers, they're not the worst team in the league, let alone their conference.

The Pelicans have the worst record in the Western Conference, with a 7-30 record. Portland has a six-game lead over the Pelicans, with a 12-23 record.

Although the Blazers have the best record and are the better team because of that, they are the underdog in this matchup on the road.

The Blazers are road underdogs in this matchup with a +1.5 spread. The Trail Blazers have gone 10-20 against Western Conference opponents. Portland is seventh in the league with 12.3 offensive rebounds per game, led by Deandre Ayton, who averages 2.8.

The Pelicans are 3-18 in Western Conference games. New Orleans gives up 117.1 points and is outscored by 9.9 points per game.

Both teams have not been as great this season, and that remains the case in their last 10 games.

The Blazers have a 4-6 record in their last 10 games, averaging 111.4 points, 44.6 rebounds, 25.6 assists, 7.2 steals, and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.6 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.7 points.

The Pelicans have missed Williamson, which will be the case for their matchup on Wednesday.

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