Is Zion Williamson playing tonight vs Grizzlies: Zion’s minute restriction revealed for today’s game

‘Is Zion Williamson playing tonight’ has been on every Pelicans fans’ mind, as they face the Grizzlies in a must-win game. 

Pelicans’ sensation Zion Williamson has been on minutes restriction in his rookie year due to various injuries. Zion showed the world his capabilities upon his arrival onto the big stage and was looking dominant before the world was bought to a halt by the virus.

The star worked hard through the lock-down and looked ready to lead the Pelicans to the playoffs. However, he left the bubble to attend an emergency and upon his arrival has been playing restricted minutes.

Is Zion Williamson playing tonight vs Grizzlies?

Yes, Zion Williamson will be playing tonight vs Grizzlies, however, like in the 1st two games of the NBA re-start, he will be on a ‘minutes restriction’

The Pelicans have been trying their best to prevent any injuries to their upcoming superstar. The franchise slowly and steadily increased his minutes during the games from January to March. The NBA 2k21 cover star also crossed 30 minutes on the court before the NBA was shutdown.  Zion worked on his body in the lock-down and looked jacked entering the bubble. However, an emergency in his family forced him to leave the bubble and his return made him an uncertainty to play the opening game.

He is thus put on a minutes restriction, so as to not in any way inflame his earlier injury that forced him to sit out during the start of the season.

The Pelicans were forced to play him on restricted minutes to prevent any recurrence of injuries. Even with the game hanging in the balance against the Jazz, the coaching staff decided to not risk their young superstar.

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Zion reveals his frustrations on restricted minutes

The restricted minutes has led Zion to lose his scoring touch. Zion has played just 29 minutes in the 2 games for the Pelicans inside the bubble. The rookie revealed his frustrations about lack of minutes in his latest media interaction.

“It’s very tough, to be honest, because as soon as I start to break that sweat, I look over and that horn is for me and I have to come out the game. Also, when I do catch the flow of the game, like I said, that horn goes off and it’s for me.”

Watch Live: Coach Gentry, Zion, and Lonzo will speak with the media shortly #WontBowDown | @OchsnerHealth https://t.co/7xWKk5Iz0j

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) August 2, 2020

“When I’m coming out of the game, my competitive side of me that I want to stay in. I guess that does affect the fun a little bit, but not too much.”

Zion only played 15 minutes and scored 13 points in the Pelicans’ 106-104 defeat to the Jazz. The Pelicans are currently embroiled in a contest to grab the 8th seed in the stacked west with stern competition from the likes of Blazers, Grizzlies, Spurs and Suns.

Zion Williamson was drafted number 1 by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 NBA draft. No rookie since a certain LeBron James had so much hype upon his arrival to the league than Zion. The rookie could not play the starting months of the season due to an injury. However, Zion worked on his shooting and showed his improved skills upon his debut. The rare mix of size and athleticism has made him a highly-rated prospect in the league.