Pelicans Lose Play-In Game as Zion Williamson Gets Hurt

The NBA Play-In Tournament still has some mixed reactions from fans, but its obvious how teams feel about it...they're here to win. The New Orleans Pelicans pushed the Los Angeles Lakers to the brink in the first game of the Play-In, but fell 110-106 on Tuesday night.

But losing the game didn't end the Pelicans tournament. They get another shot to win their way into the NBA Playoffs on Friday against the Sacramento Kings. However their biggest loss against the Lakers may actually be their star Zion Williamson.

After Zion scored 40 points against the Lakers, he had to leave the game due to an injury.

Zion had accumulated 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in the game, but he had to leave the game with just over 3 mins left...and the game tied up. The Lakers would go on to win from there. But most of the Pelicans' attention had already turned to Zion's health.

After a few years of ups and downs, and a lost season to injury, the last two seasons have served as a breakout for Zion. Last year he averaged 26 points and 7 rebounds in just 29 games. This season, he averaged 22.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. While the Pelicans do have other good players, a lot of feeling is that if Zion can't go, the Pelicans might not be able to take down the Thunder on Friday.

But there seemed to be some good news late in the night, as reporters said Zion was leaving without a noticeable limp.

The hope is that Zion is a full go for Friday, because the Pelicans might need everything they have to take down the Sacramento Kings.