Is Zion Williamson Playing Tonight vs Nuggets? Pelicans Release Injury Update Ahead of Crucial Matchup

The New Orleans Pelicans are headed to Denver for the final game of their four-game road trip. The Pelicans had been making a surge, winning five straight games, before they went to the Bay to take on the defending champions. Faced with the might of Stephen Curry, the Pelicans, without Zion Williamson, could not do much. Despite building an early 20-point lead, they lost the game 120-109.

This loss cost the Pelicans a chance to get to the 8th seed in the West. However, tonight, as they head to Denver, they will have a shot at going as high as the 7th seed. Currently half a game behind the 7th-seeded Timberwolves, a win over Nikola Jokic and co. could really help the Pelicans in this tight playoff/play-in race.

The question that lies now is, will Zion Williamson suit up tonight?

Zion Williamson will be OUT for tonight’s contest

Zion has been out of action since the first week of January. His hamstring strain suffered another setback in February, keeping him out for nearly three months now. On March 22, the Pelicans re-evaluated him and cleared him for on-court activities.

Medical Update on Zion Williamson:

Following a re-evaluation on his right hamstring strain, Zion Williamson has been cleared to return to on-court activities. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 22, 2023

However, this means that he will be out till the first week of April at least. According to Chris Haynes of TNT, the earliest Zion can return is when the Pelicans are left with just two games on their schedule.

.@ChrisBHaynes shares the latest update on the return of Zion Williamson pic.twitter.com/2bpO6rKGam

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 29, 2023

Till then, the Pelicans will have to hold on in the play-in standings and hope the next evaluation goes well for Williamson.