LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 110-106 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, securing a playoff berth in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament.
However, the spotlight was on Zion Williamson, who had an outstanding performance with 40 points and 11 rebounds in his NBA postseason debut.
Unfortunately, Williamson left the game with left leg soreness after tying the score. The Pelicans’ coach, Willie Green, confirmed that Williamson will undergo imaging on his leg to determine the extent of the injury.
Willie Green says it’s left leg soreness for Zion Williamson and he will get imaging done tomorrow.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 17, 2024
Willie Green said that Zion Williamson left the game with left leg soreness. He will have imaging on Wednesday.
— Seth Lewis (@SethLewisInc) April 17, 2024
The loss leaves the Pelicans with one more chance to qualify for the playoffs, as they will face the winner of the Warriors-Kings matchup in an elimination game.
The severity of Williamson’s injury and the imaging results will dictate his availability moving forward.
"I couldn't tell. I don't know if it was a knee or foot. Tomorrow, I'm sure I'll have more of an update of what's going on with him."
Pelicans HC Willie Green with an update on Zion's injury pic.twitter.com/TRfda8D3CA
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 17, 2024
Just saw Zion Williamson walking out the locker room – didn’t see a limp or wrap on his leg, and seemed to be in good spirits
— Ricardo LeCompte (@RLeCompteTV) April 17, 2024
The New Orleans Pelicans lost their Play-In Game against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Zion Williamson exiting early due to left leg soreness.
Williamson, who scored 40 points in the game, will undergo imaging on his leg to determine the extent of the injury.
Zion left the game with 3 min left after an apparent injury pic.twitter.com/dmSjuoxgzs
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 17, 2024
Pelicans lose to the Lakers, 110-106.
Zion Williamson had 40 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists but missed the final 3:13 after going to the locker room with an injury.
We hope to know more shortly when we talk to Willie Green.
Pels play Kings-Warriors winner at home Friday.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 17, 2024
Despite leaving the court angrily, Williamson appeared to walk without a limp or visible wrap on his leg after the game.
The Lakers’ win secured them the seventh seed in the playoffs, while the Pelicans must now face the winner of the Warriors-Kings game in an elimination matchup for the eighth seed.
The Pelicans are hopeful that Williamson will be able to return for Friday’s game.
Fans reacted as follows.
Aka it’s the hamstring again fuck..
— A.J. (@AJZ59) April 17, 2024
You can’t leave a game like that for a sore leg man
— Nathan (@jakeIayman) April 17, 2024
Why don't prof arenas have CT machines?!
— Jonathan (@JonathanIsASpy) April 17, 2024
Just soreness?? Or like an injury 🤔
— joegrower420.eth 🌱 (@joegrower420) April 17, 2024
Rough final couple mins for Pelicans in a tie game late with Zion playing out of mind with 40 pts and has to leave the game with leg soreness. Now an elimination game on Friday for 8th seed at home against Kings/Warriors winner..🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/JMqUSYHoOe
— Paul Ross (@pauleossi) April 17, 2024
Did the Pelicans just duck Denver low key 🤔
— N.O. Villian🇺🇸 (@JJLouisiana1) April 17, 2024
omg, zion injured again? smh, this dude can't catch a break tho. so many injuries, he should just start an of at this point, fr.
— jennie 💕 (@sugarjenifer) April 17, 2024
It was a playoff game. Your team was 95-95 tied with 3 minutes to play. You shall never send your best player back to the locker room with an injury that didn't look so serious at all.
— 晴れ (@Exceed360240) April 17, 2024
Did not have the Pels identified as the team most likely to throw the game in order to miss the Nuggets
— C (@Councilman303) April 17, 2024
Really or you just joking
— ZionDaGoat (@ogdbeast) April 17, 2024
He looks like he knows it’s serious.
Sucks to see, the dude is an absolute baller when healthy.
— JDO Post 🇺🇸 (@JDOPost) April 17, 2024
Bro literally was about to win the game and the NBA said naw
— PlaybyPlayNews (@PLAYBYPLAYNEWS) April 17, 2024
LeMickey saved again
— Jahmeir D. ✭ (@JDCowboys2) April 17, 2024
