Zion Williamson Ankle Injury Hits New Orleans Pelicans

Zion Williamson left Saturday’s game in Utah with a right ankle injury and did not return after 11 minutes. At 25 he was averaging 21.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists, and when healthy he remains an electric, game-changing talent. Given a history that includes a Jones fracture, torn meniscus and recent hamstring and hip strains, any new lower-body issue immediately clouds New Orleans’ short-term outlook. Merlin sees a Pelicans club already "all but out of the playoff race" but riding a 5-2 spell. Without Zion the team shifts toward protecting his long-term availability and testing depth while chasing a late-season pulse. If the ankle is minor he can still provide a late spark, but a setback would push the franchise toward careful load management and roster evaluation.