Is Zion Williamson Playing Tonight? (Latest Injury Update for Mavericks vs. Pelicans on Tuesday)
By Peter Dewey
UPDATE: Zion Williamson has been ruled out for tonight's game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Pelicans say Herb Jones and Zion Williamson have been downgraded to OUT for tonight’s game.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 25, 2022
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson missed the entire 2021-22 season with a foot injury, but he's looked solid in three games in the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 22.0 points per game while shooting 49.1% from the field.
However, Williamson suffered a hip contusion in the Pelicans' loss to the Utah Jazz on Sunday, leaving his status for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks in question.
Zion Williamson (right posterior hip / low back contusion) and Herb Jones (right knee hyperextension) are officially questionable for tomorrow’s game against the Mavs.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) October 24, 2022
Ingram out with the concussion as he has to complete return-to-play protocols to get back on the court. pic.twitter.com/72xe7tjCkc
With Brandon Ingram now out for this game as he returns from a head injury, the Pelicans certainly could use Williamson in the lineup on Tuesday night. However, given the team's cautious approach with him in previous seasons, it would make sense if New Orleans held him out of this game.
Right now, Dallas is a 4.5-point road favorite against the Pelicans with Williamson's status up in the air.
The odds suggest that Williamson could miss this game, as the Pelicans are one of the better teams in the West and wouldn't be nearly as big of underdogs if Ingram and Zion were both going to be on the floor.
The Pelicans will likely provide an updated injury report for this game later in the day, but bettors may be able to get Dallas at the best number now if Zion does get ruled out. Right now, he seems like a true game-time decision after sitting out the end of the Jazz matchup.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.