Oft-injured New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson ‘tweaks’ right ankle in win over Utah Jazz

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson suffered a potential injury to his right ankle during the second quarter of the game against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. The Pelicans later announced that Williamson would not return to the game due to the injury. Despite his absence, New Orleans managed to secure a 115-105 victory.

Interim coach James Borrego provided an update on Williamson’s condition, stating that the young star had “tweaked the ankle.” However, Borrego did not have any immediate information on the severity of the injury. He expressed hope that the injury is not serious and that Williamson will be back on the court soon.

This injury is just the latest setback for Williamson, who has already missed 16 games this season due to various ailments. Prior to this injury, Williamson had played in 35 consecutive games, which marked a career-best streak for him in the NBA. This streak started on December 11, after he sat out five games due to a right hip adductor strain.

During the game against the Jazz, Williamson managed to contribute four points, two assists, and a rebound in just 11 minutes of playing time. Since being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft out of Duke, Williamson has struggled with injuries, playing in only 258 out of 543 potential regular-season games. His previous longest streak was 25 games.

In addition to Williamson’s absence, the Pelicans were also missing small forward Trey Murphy (right shoulder), center Yves Missi (left calf), and guard Dejounte Murray (reconditioning), further depleting their lineup.

Despite the challenges they faced, the Pelicans managed to pull off a crucial win against the Jazz. As Williamson’s status remains uncertain, fans and teammates are hopeful for a speedy recovery and his swift return to the court.

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