Zion Williamson Out for Pelicans' NBA Play-In Game vs. Kings with Hamstring Injury | News, Scores, H

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New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson will miss Friday's NBA Play-In Tournament game against the Sacramento Kings with a left hamstring injury and will be re-examined in "approximately two weeks," the team announced on Wednesday.

New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that forward Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain. An MRI taken this morning confirmed the injury. Williamson will be re-examined in approximately two weeks. <a href="https://t.co/efY3f2Kq0X">pic.twitter.com/efY3f2Kq0X</a>

Williamson, 23, was having an epic game in the team's Play-In Tournament matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, putting up 40 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. But he left the game with 3:13 remaining in the fourth quarter due to a left leg injury with the game tied at 95 apiece.

He wouldn't return, and the Lakers went on to win 110-106. The major concern after the game was Williamson's health, with updates following the contest offering vague information:

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine

Zion Williamson update from Pelicans coach Willie Green is a limited update ... <a href="https://t.co/CRVh5XPs9N">https://t.co/CRVh5XPs9N</a>

Will Guillory @WillGuillory

Zion Williamson just left the building wasn't walking with a limp or anything. Didn't have a visible wrap on his leg either.

Injuries have been a huge part of Williamson's NBA story thus far, though he had the healthiest year of his career in the 2023-24 campaign, appearing in 70 contests while averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and five assists.

Prior to this season, Williamson had never appeared in more than 61 games in a season. He only appeared in 29 games last year and missed the entirety of the 2021-22 campaign.

The Pelicans have other talented options to lean on when Williamson is out of commission, including Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum, but few players present the downhill force of Williamson attacking the basket or his ability to explode to the basket and finish around the rim.

He is a truly unique superstar, and one LeBron James told reporters Williamson was a "generational talent" after Tuesday's game.

"He's going to continue to get better, and tonight was just a small microcosm of how great he can be," he added. "His ability to get downhill, finish vs. smalls, finish vs. bigs—taller guys, shorter guys, it doesn't matter. ... He's not afraid to compete. That's a great thing. He's a star."

The Pelicans need that star on the court to reach their full potential, however. they won't have him against the Kings on Friday with their season on the line.

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