New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was forced to sit out the final minutes of Wednesday night's game against the Orlando Magic due to a finger injury on his left hand. Williamson, who had his middle finger taped up, indicated that he had tweaked his hand but refrained from speculating on the severity of the injury.
The injury occurred during the second quarter when Williamson hit his hand on the backboard while attempting a block. Despite playing through the discomfort, Williamson eventually had to leave the game in the third quarter after picking up his fourth foul.
Pelicans coach Willie Green confirmed that Williamson was dealing with a finger issue and mentioned that updates on his condition would be provided soon. The team is also grappling with injuries to Brandon Ingram and Jose Alvarado.
Wednesday's loss marked the Pelicans' fourth defeat in their last five games, dropping them to a half-game behind the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference standings. The game was marred by multiple ejections, with Pelicans players Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Dyson Daniels all being thrown out in the final seconds for interactions with officials.
Green emphasized the importance of maintaining composure, especially in high-pressure situations. The game featured a playoff-like atmosphere with several contentious fouls and technical fouls being issued to players from both teams.
Looking ahead, the Pelicans will conclude their homestand with a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night.
