Zion Williamson sidelined vs. Grizzlies with foot injury
Zion Williamson will miss Tuesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a right foot contusion. New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green announced the news Tuesday afternoon.
The injury is to the same foot that required surgery in 2021 and caused Williamson to miss all of last season. Green isn't concerned about this injury being a long-term issue, telling reporters that "everything came back fine" and that Williamson's considered day-to-day. Green didn't rule out Williamson returning on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls.
“There is definitely some hope, but we’ll see how he feels after tonight,” Green said.
Williamson sustained the injury late in Saturday's win over the Houston Rockets. He stepped on the foot of Rockets forward Usman Garuba and rolled his ankle. He fell to the floor in apparent pain.
A look at play where Zion hurt his foot with 10:57 left in that game against the Rockets.
He steps on Garuba's foot and Zion's right foot rolls.
Willie Green says it is a right foot contusion and Zion should be day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/ArusSLwdyC— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) November 15, 2022
He returned to the game, but the Pelicans later listed him as questionable before ruling him out on Tuesday.
After missing last season, Williamson has largely returned to form in 2022. Through 11 games, he's averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 56.6% from the field. The Pelicans are off to a 7-6 start and are depending on Williamson to anchor the team alongside Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum in a competitive Western Conference.
