INDIANAPOLIS — The New Orleans Pelicans were without two key players Saturday night when they faced the Indiana Pacers.
Rookie Zion Williamson, who went through pregame warmups, and All-Star forward Brandon Ingram were ruled out because of injuries.
Both players sprained their ankles during Thursday’s 125-119 win over the Bulls. Both injuries happened in the second quarter.
Williamson didn’t finish the second quarter but returned in the second half and finished with a team-high 21 points. Ingram injured his ankle late in the second quarter and started the third quarter. However, he checked out midway through the quarter and did not return.
Ingram was downgraded to doubtful on Saturday and Williamson was added to the injury report on Saturday afternoon.
Coach Alvin Gentry said before the game that both players would come in pregame to get treatment and their status would be decided after that.
Williamson missed the first 44 games of the season as he recovered from surgery on the meniscus in his right knee. Even though he finished the game against Chicago, Gentry said the team will be cautious with him.
“Obviously, we won’t take any chances,” Gentry said on Saturday morning. “If he’s good, he’ll go. If not, we’ll keep him out.”
Ingram, a first-time All-Star, is averaging 24.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season.
In eight games, Williamson is averaging 19.8 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 57.4 percent. He’s the only rookie this season with four consecutive 20-point games.
Source : ESPN
