ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has been ruled out for Friday’s play-in game against the Sacramento Kings. Zion had to leave Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after straining his hamstring.
ESPN Sources: Pelicans F Zion Williamson’s (left hamstring) is out for Friday’s Play-In Tournament elimination game vs. Sacramento and will be evaluated again in coming weeks. Huge blow for New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/rMc1IC2RtY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 17, 2024
First things first, we never want to celebrate an injury. I would much rather have advanced to the playoffs by beating a full-strength Pelicans team. Zion is a thrilling player to watch, and it’s a shame to see him suffer another injury set back. We’ll hope this isn’t a serious injury, and wish Zion a speedy recovery.
While we won’t celebrate an injury, this is obviously a big opportunity for the Kings. Zion would have been a matchup nightmare for Sacramento. In their last matchup on April 11th, Zion scored 31 points, tying CJ McCollum for the team-high. Even without Zion, though, the Pelicans are a tough matchup for the Kings, having won all 5 contests this season.
The Kings and Pelicans play Friday at 6:30 PM PT, on TNT.
CJ had 31 pts, 7 assists, 0 Turnovers last game. Make him work, make our 3s = OKC?
I would like to see the same trapping/swarming defense on CJ that we saw on Curry.
This.
Need Murphy to have a Klay shooting night too. He and CJ were a combined 15/24 from 3 in the last game.
This season CJ hits 47.1% on threes on the road, but 38.9 % at home. Murphy 41.6 vs 33.7.
Nice!
Need Killer Bees swarming
I’m done predicting what this team will do.
Who really expected them to dominate basically the whole game against the Warriors with stellar D? I sure as hell didn’t.
We played badly against the Pels without Zion in previous games. Whatever, I really don’t know. And I am enjoying that tremendously.
Agree 100%. If there’s one thing we know about the Kings it’s that we don’t know anything.
Keegan’s Heroes.
How on God’s green earth is this not purpled yet?
You have to be old to get that GIF. Rec’d from one old guy to another.
Yeah, but it has something for everyone on the internet. Keegan reference for Kings fans. Hogan’s Heroes reference for old people. And Nazis for everyone else!
Love it! Our kids 14,11,8 all watch and like Hogan’s Heroes.
Agree.
Speak for yourself.
Impossible to predict because the Kings finally decided for the play in game to actually adjust and play playoff/half court O. And play to their strengths.
IE-exactly what they knew they needed to fix after last years playoffs but somehow ignored the idea until last game. So, unpredictable.
Their D has been significantly better last few weeks. Coinciding w Hierter replaced by Ellis. Another thing that was obvious after playoffs- Heurter needed to be traded/upgrade. Barnes too. But somehow they only made the correct changes when forced to.
I hope they continue w correct playoff O.
The game played out as I expected and projected.
It was a glorius and joyous day, and I suspect another one is on the horizon.
The overriding variable was the athleticism advantage SAC > GSW.
Anyone who knows anything can clearly see Curry has lost 1/2 step, if you want to be charitable at least 1/4th of a step. The burst is not there to create separation. In other words, the ability to be dominate is less prevalent.
The biggest moment of the biggest game of our season was 57-58 early in the third after Curry made a driving layup and three against Keegan. The new coach of Brooklyn Nets yells “switch”.
Thank goodness for the associate head coach because I am not sure if the official head coach would know any better, he of the Huerter For Life position, until the arm is pulled from the socket and the decision is made for you.
Next possession down, after 5 points by Curry, Keon denies Curry from getting the ball then pokes the ball loose as part of a 9-0 run getting lead back to double digits and we never look back.
Keegan was effective vs Curry but Keon is even better and disallowing him to create space. The second in command saw this and made the prudent call, and we kicked their ass the rest of the way.
We dared their secondary scorers to beat us, Kuminga and Klay, aka Klank, and they couldn’t do it. Similarly, the Pels will dare our secondary scorers, those not named Keegan or Fox to be us. Whether they rise to the ocassion will determine tomorrows outcome, though I am not sure Fox and Keegan will be stymied like Curry.
In the Game 7 debacle last year, Curry launched over 30 FGAs en route to 50 points.
To be precise CURRY LAUNCHED 38 FGs (20-38) when we suffered our humiliating Game 7 defeat, a strategy that the “COY” defends to this day. Fast forward one year in a closeout game, and we allowed 16 FGAs.
I think this point is relevant heading into tomorrow becase the Pels are going to try to turn Domas and our role players, Davion, Tres, HB and Keon, into scorers. They are going to try to take away our two best scorers (Fox and Keegan) and make the others beat us.
So either Fox and Keegan do what Curry could NOT do vs us and Keon in the Play-In game, that is, get quality looks, or all the attention garnered to our two best scorers is exploited by our lesser talented scorers.
There is EVERY reason for Kings fans to be confident, more intangible than tangible, though the tangibles are significant.
I rewatched the game the Pels minus Zion beat us by 40 points, or lead 102-62. That game means nothing because that team has nothing to do with the team that exists now. This should give all fans a lot of confidence.
BTW- JaVale- on his goal tend- outscored klank for the duds.
FWIW, the Kings are now somehow favored. This is a team that the Kings just struggle to match up with. I think that Jonas is the biggest challenge in that Domas can’t overpower him (similar to the problems with Looney). Guys gotta play defense and hit their 3s. That’s basically it.
True. This makes the Pels game very very similar to the GS game. A guy that Domas struggles against and a 3pt shooter who can really go off against us.
But on the whole, I think Pels have better defenders than GSW.
They sure do. Warriors defense was pretty bad. Kings will need to keep up the intensity defensively, and “Value the ball” (read in your best Jerry Reynolds voice. I do remember that from my childhood, and Jerry if you read this, thanks for a great basketball childhood in the 1990s)
Anybody who is picking Sac over NOLA on Friday has not watched any Sac-NOLA tape from this season. I’m praying for a win, but it would be miraculous.
No offense but you have NO idea what you are talking about.
When we got killed by the Pelicans minus Zion, Duarte started (was awful), Huerter came off the bench (was awful), JaVale McBlunder was in the rotation (was awful) and Monk was maybe more awful than ALL of the aformentioned defensively.
Monk can drop dimes and penetrate but the plusses are scarcely in excess of the minuses if at all, especially when this three ball is off (30 percent over last 40 games)
Monk has probably played his last game for the Kings, unless he wants to accept 4/60 from us, an appealing trade chip if nothing else. which may be the best open market offer he gets.
Anyone who talks about Monk and Huerter leaving us at a disadvantage, when we have a Top 5 NBA defense since their absence, can be dismissed as sad and clueless and regurgiating of the normie view, the perpetually wrong normie view.
Our team now is NOT the team that got destroyed by the Pels, or the one that crushed GSW and ended the dynasty.
I contend our season is a success regardless of tomorrow, based on the progress of Keegan and Keon and ending the dynasty. Losing tomorrow, unlikely, will not change this.
Do you want to know what would be a miracle? If we do not play on of our best and most inspired games tomorow. All roads have led to this. LFG. Bring on the Thunder.
While I appreciate your enthusiasm, this is the same team that just lost to the Pels by 12 in an important game in the last stretch of the season. I hope they can win, but I don’t see the Kings as favored in this one.
Zion was 13-21 FGs in that game. CJ was 9-12 from 3 (86% TS% for the game), Four of those makes were well-contested, unlikely he makes them tomorrow. And other 5 that he made, open looks, in transition and Kings caught in rotation, I supsect we will do better job.
Do you think it is realistic for CJ to score 27 points from 3 tomorrow and for the other Pels to make up for the 31 points from Zion on 62% TS%?
BI could do it at 100 percent but he’s still recovering from a bruised knee.
CJ moves well without the ball, and he’s more physical than Curry, using his shoulder to create space. Keon can rise to the occassion, with this last game vs NOP as a learning experience, and since he did a great job on a more physical player in Desmond Bane.
Obviously if the opponent makes high degree of difficulty shots like they did , 22-40 from 3s (55%) shooting 72% TS% as a team we are cooked. What can you do but tip your hat and say better team won. But the odds are that this does not repeat because Zion demands so much attention, BI and Alvarado (who killed us in this game too) are banged up.
The bottom line for me is if CJ McCollum is the primary obstacle between us and Round 1 vs OKC, I like our odds.
Maybe try to say things without being a total Raptors rookie?
Here is the Domas vs Jonas head to head stats. Jonas really has slowed Domas down for much of his career.
Domas has the quickness advantage (to score inside). Jonas has the size and strength advantage. After making four outside shots vs POR, Domas made ZERO vs GSW. I would feel really good about our chances if Domas takes and makes at least three 10-16 footers, and 1-2 threes tomorrow, since those shot will be there for him.
Meets the eye test. Domas tries to muscle Jonas and he doesn’t budge. It’s funny how much matchups matter. AD is a better center than Jonas (I don’t think that is arguable) but Domas has his way with AD. The Centers that give Domas the most problems are the burly ones (Steven Adams, Jonas, and Looney).
Yup. This is gonna boil down to the exact same thing as the win against the Warriors. SaBonus hast to shoot the mid range. End of story. He cannot go back to his old spastic Ways.
And fox needs to mostly get into the lane. Shoot midRange and floaters. Three pointer as a side-note.
They are putting out defensive effort. In fact they have been the last two weeks doing well on defense. It’s their o that’s the problem in the half court.
if that doesn’t change, why did against the Warriors, they are not going anywhere
I looked to see if there was a secret message in the capitalizations. Does “YTSBEHWASRTTIIW” mean anything to anyone?
I appreciate your help!
Ha. I don’t know why it capitalized random letters.
Domanic (not demonic) possession?
I also believe that if Domas commits to becoming a mid range/shooter and plays the way, shots them until they drop -turns himself into that-
-The Kings can indeed make a Championship run
Not this year but I meant eventual Championship run.
…or did I
Fox chucking 3s is really bothering me. He’s not a 3 point shooter. Take that shot as a last resort, not a first. Drive, pull up from mid-range, floater, finish at the rim. Those are the areas he is elite.
Why don’t we break Valanciunas’ wrist like he did to Chimezie Metu? They didn’t even call a common foul on that son-of-a-bitch.
Why the violence?
Use your words…..
I still think it will be a miracle if the Kings win. Even without Zion, the Pels are tall, long, athletic, and strong. The Kings struggle mightily to create separation from the Pels’ defenders and get into an offensive rhythm, especially Sabonis when Valanciunas is on him. And the Pels can just overpower them on the other end. It’s a matchup nightmare. With Sabonis possibly neutralized by JV and Fox bothered by NOLA’s length, Keegan and Keon will need to play the games of their lives–on both ends–to earn a W on Friday. Funny thing is, after yesterday’s performance, I actually think that’s possible.
Bearing a team 5 straight times is hard to do. Doing it 6 without your top player can be harder. Not saying we win, but the I’d say we have a 50/50 chance to win this game at worst.
From your lips to God’s ears!
60/40 maybe 70/30 with the intangibles on our side.
Ah, the “this slot machine is overdue to pay out” theory
I remember the NFC championship game a few years ago. Niners had beaten the Rams like 5 times in a row previous to that game (The Rams won and won the SB 2 weeks later).
Can we replicate it? Beat the team we can’t beat…and then beat everybody? (Tongue in cheek, of course).
I won’t “celebrate” this injury but as soon as he was hurt I started hoping the Lakers would win. Kings will have two full days to scheme up a game plan against this dispirited mob. Besides the Pelicans are 0-6 at home lately. Kings win easily.
I think the refs’ “let them play” attitude lately is really giving us a big edge defensively. Fox/Ellis/Davion are picking up steals where before they’d be picking up fouls. Domas can’t shot-block so him being allowed to body-bully guys down low is helping him as well.
Golden State wasn’t able to adjust to this new leeway.
I was surprised there wasn’t more Looney. We killed them on the offensive boards.
This is an important point. Last night the refs were also swallowing their whistles.
There are no easy scores around the baskets and we should try to finish plays, not hunt for foul calls. On defense, it indeed allows for more aggresdsion, but there’s a thin line where foul problems may suddenly become an issue.
Also, if we can be more physical, so can the Pels…
Echoing Greg’s comments, you never want to see a player get hurt. But I’m not gonna lie, I’d rather the Kings not have to deal with him. We have no one who can match up. In fact, I don’t thing anyone besides a 28 year old Lebron could match up physically. If Murray stays hot, Keon gets his 13-15 points and Fox and Sabonis do what they are supposed to do, I like our chances.
Let’s try not to let them shoot 55% from 3 this time
CJ had been “hot as fish grease” from three for four or five games before coming here. Last night he was one of nine on three point attempts. Let’s hope on Friday he infects his teammates with whatever cooled him off.
Zion is a terrible defender, total trash. So this makes it harder for us in this respect. First to 90 points probably wins.
Let’s project a bit. Say the Kings win on Friday. I like our chances against a very inexperienced OKC. Not saying we’d beat them, but I don’t think we get swept. Then we play the winner of Mavs-Clippers avoiding Minny or Den in the second round. It’s doable.
Did Klay get the DPOG crown for the Kings last night or what?
Great night
we were -2.5 underdogs versus the Warriors
beating the warriors in the momentum galvanizing (after poor end to season) way we did with Zion out increased playoff odds from like 12% to 65% in one night
Not to celebrate Zion’s injury, I meant our play was the great night. But man does Zion being out lift our chances
Twitter AI is hilarious
Well, Zion averages twenty-five points per game, and our margin of loss for all five games is nineteen points, so maybe we have a chance?
The Kings are better off without him in the opposing lineup.
The KaNGz are better with him in the lineup so they can play to the level of the competition.
Either way we are better off.
Hate to see Zion injured again. The man is a beast of an athlete that has been hobbled for his entire career.
Cinderella time
The game plan should be similar to the warriors game. Take away CJ and put pressure on the rest of the team to beat you. Get Murray some good looks early to get him going. Fox will probably need 30+.
The Pels have beaten the Kings with and without Zion, with and without CJ, and with and without Ingram. They have also beaten them handedly in 3 of the 5 games they’ve won. They have to make CJ and Murphy uncomfortable because if they let them get going, the Kings will have no chance. I’d say without hesitation the Pels win tomorrow night because I’ve seen nothing to make me think otherwise. I’m obviously hoping for a Kings victory, but someone for the Kings will have to have an out of body experience. Meaning Lyles, Ellis, or Barnes. I’m glad it’s just 1 game and not a series. Anything can happen now.
Without hesltation? I don’t think so.
I would also not hesitate in making that conclusion. I’ve watched the Kings too closely, particularly their games/losses against the Pels, this season. No Zion definitely helps but they have their way with Sac EVERY time, to the extent that it is painful to watch.
Let’s just wait and see. See you after the game. GO KINGS!
In the last game when Zion went out before the half, the Kings were playing better. Hoping for the best but no expectations for me. Punching the Dubs in the mouth will keep me going till next year.
Hopefully MB will be able to stay with the 8-man rotation he used against the Dubs and won’t insert an overmatched Colby Jones into the lineup in the middle of the first quarter. That roughly 2-minute stretch during which he committed 2 TO’s and fouled a 3-pt shooter was disastrous.
Agreed. There are a lot of people who want to believe that he’s a lot closer to being a rotation guy than he actually is. I think he’s got the tools to become that guy, but he isn’t now, and may not get there next season. There’s no reason to rush him.
He could be the next Keon?
G league to hall of fame in a week.
I’d be satisfied if he became an NBA player…like Keon.
Exactly.
He isn’t. Hopefully they move on and get one.
Your dismissiveness around Keon is odd. Nobody is calling him an HOF player but dude has been an absolute game-changer on defense. Of the regular rotation, nobody comes close to his 41.7% from 3 point range. He is second on the team in steals per 36 minutes and third in blocks (behind Len and McGee). In his second year. He doesn’t have to prove jack sh!t to me.
Maybe you’re just sticking to your opinion because you’re incapable of changing it when presented with new data. But it’s a tired, dumb, puzzling take.
Keon is doing great and he has turned into a good player. He is one out of hundreds this team has actually developed.
And by the way, it’s extra odd that you brought Keon up in response to a comment about Colby Jones, apropos of nothing. Makes me think Keon is an unhealthy obsession for you.
I compare Jones to Keon because Keon is now the justification for Mings fans to accept G league talent instead of a real NBA roster. I want this team to win.
The organization has a history of loving non NBA players instead of demanding NBA quality.
Alvarado’s ankles were also taking a beating against the Lakers. I couldn’t figure out how he kept playing. Pretty tough guy I guess.
The key will be Sabonis. He really needs to outplay Valanciunas this time and be an outside threat to drag him out of the paint. I don’t have the stats but the eye test looked like they were playing relatively even.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Kings did to the Pelicans what they just did to the Warriors.
Past games don’t matter. Ask Steph Curry. Better yet, ask his wannabe Robin, 0-for-Thompson.
4 on 5 proved too difficult for the Dubs when Kerr insisted on playing someone who doesn’t score!
Good point. For all of the criticism of Mike Brown being outcoached (often justified, imo), I believe he deserves credit when he outcoaches one of the league’s best.
Teacher, become student. Or student–well, you get the idea, even if I don’t.
Dude, what compels you to be snarky at everybody? Take a nap or something.
Trolling Yakshi apropos of nothing is this dude’s entire personality, as far as I can tell.
Weak.
In their last 15 games, the Kings were sixth in defensive rating, first in second-chance points allowed, second in fast-break points allowed, and first in points allowed in the paint.
Mike Brown wanted to create a team with defensive stats like these.
The Kings wanted a Doug Christie type so bad that they hired Doug Christie to coach.
Now they’ve got one in Keon Ellis, and his being undrafted and developed through the Kings system makes it that much sweeter.
The game aside I feel like Williamson just abdicates… Why a team would invest in a player for that much money who can’t play the game is beyond me.
Like it was said on draft day….
Maybe drafting an offensive lineman to play NBA basketball isn’t such a great idea.
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