Just three games into the 2022-23 NBA season, Zion Williamson suffered an injury scare in the Pelicans’ 122-121 loss to the Utah Jazz.
With eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Jordan Clarkson met Williamson at the rim, pulling off an impressive block that saw the Pelicans forward fall awkwardly on his tailbone.
Jordan REFUSING to give up on the play ☮️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/dA9sIwkPx0
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 24, 2022
Williamson exited the game, with the Pelicans announcing shortly after that he would not return.
Here’s everything we know about his injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.
What is Zion Williamson’s injury?
The Pelicans confirmed Williamson’s injury was a posterior hip contusion.
Injury Update: Zion Williamson sustained a posterior hip contusion during tonight’s game
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 24, 2022
Williamson exited the game with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting, adding six rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in 30 minutes of action.
How long will Zion Williamson be out?
The Pelicans took a cautious approach sitting Williamson for the remainder of the fourth quarter and overtime. The injury held Williamson out of the team’s next two games — New Orleans went 1-1 with an impressive win coming at home against Dallas while it lost in a playoff rematch against Phoenix on the road.
After a brief absence, Williamson returns to the lineup with the Pelicans in Los Angeles for a rematch of a remarkable Play-In Tournament meeting with the Clippers.
Zion Williamson will be in the starting lineup, per sources. pic.twitter.com/mH1bJImnAK
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 30, 2022
Williamson missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a foot injury.
Pelicans upcoming schedule
The Pelicans (3-2) have had a tough schedule to open the season, including a three-game road trip against the Phoenix Suns, LA Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Oct. 30 | at Clippers | 3:00 p.m. |
| Nov. 2 | at Lakers | 10:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 4 | vs. Warriors | 8:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 5 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 7 | at Pacers | 7:45 p.m. |
