Zion Williamson rolls his ankle and does not return to game after halftime.
Zion Williamson did not participate in the New Orleans Pelicans’ final preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks (8 ET, LIVE). Williamson is day-to-day per coach Willie Green.
Williamson suffered a left ankle sprain in the Pelicans’ last preseason game and was listed as questionable heading into Friday’s contest. Forwards Brandon Ingram (left toe soreness) and Larry Nance Jr. (right foot soreness) and guard Dyson Daniels (right ankle sprain) are also questionable for Friday’s game.
Notes from Pels shootaround:
– Zion Williamson did not practice, won’t play tonight
– The “hope” is that everyone else will play – Brandon Ingram, Larry Nance, Dyson Z Daniels – after going through warm-ups.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 14, 2022
In today's shootaround update, @Jim_Eichenhofer talks about the "Pelicans" feel around the arena and all of Herb Jones' ticket requests for tonight. #Pelicans | @HUBInsurance https://t.co/pvBUjo60iE
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 14, 2022
Williamson — who didn’t play at all last season because of problems with his right foot — got hurt Wednesday vs. the Miami Heat. The injury occurred on a play in the second quarter where he grabbed a rebound, brought the ball downcourt, split multiple Heat defenders and got to the rim. His left ankle simply appeared to buckle as he planted, without making contact with any other player.
Afterward, Williamson had a simple message: “I’m fine.”
“I want to use the right term, but in the moment, it didn’t feel too good,” Williamson said after the game against Miami. “It was one of those things that happened and I popped back up like, ‘Yeah, I’m straight.’ Played a few minutes after that, felt fine, then they sent me to the back just to double-check.”
He stayed in the game for about three more minutes after getting hurt, making two free throws, then assisting a 3-pointer by CJ McCollum, making a layup, then converting a three-point play before getting subbed out with 6:42 left in the half.
Game Recap: Heat 120, Pelicans 103
Williamson was evaluated by doctors, who assured him that he was only going to experience soreness. Green said he did not expect the ankle to create a long-term problem.
“He’s doing fine,” Green said. “Looks like, I think, he might have rolled his ankle a little bit. He’ll be day to day.”
Williamson was limited to 24 games in his rookie season, 2019-20, because of right knee problems. He played in 61 games the following year and hasn’t played in a real game for the Pelicans since.
New Orleans opens the regular season Oct. 19 at Brooklyn. Williamson finished with 11 points in 11 minutes for the Pelicans on Wednesday, and Miami won the exhibition game 120-103.
