Zion Williamson’s absence from Pelicans Play-In Lost to Thunder draws blame from fans

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New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson sat out Wednesday’s tournament game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to injury but is still largely blamed for his team’s loss .

The No. 9 Pelicans fell to the No. 10 Thunder 123-118 Wednesday night at Smoothie King Center in the first round of the NBA play-in tournament and were knocked out of the playoffs.

While Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III all scored 20+ points in the loss, it wasn’t enough as 30+ point performances from Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took helped the Thunder to victory and the place. in the second round of the play-off tournament against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Williamson has struggled to stay healthy since being selected first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by Duke. His most recent hamstring injury has sidelined him since Jan. 2, and there was no guarantee he would have played in the first round of the playoffs had New Orleans got there.

Following Wednesday’s loss, fans on Twitter ripped Williamson over his ongoing injury issues:

Williamson was further blamed by fans for not taking the field on Wednesday after telling reporters on Tuesday that he was feeling fine physically and would return to the field “when I feel like Zion,” discussing the mental obstacle to joining the team in a match with massive implications.

Now, Williamson won’t even get a chance to join the team this season, leaving questions over whether the Pelicans should keep him on board moving forward.

The Thunder, meanwhile, are set for another playoff against the Timberwolves on Friday and will earn a date with the Denver Nuggets if they win.

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