The New Orleans Pelicans take on the Atlanta Hawks tonight, and one important player is missing from the Pelicans roster. Zion Williamson was deemed questionable at first for the game but has now been marked out! Injuries and Williamson have been used together in a sentence way too often in recent years. The hooper would be missing the second game of this season. His streak of being fit was fun while it lasted. However, it seems like right hamstring tightness has been troubling the 2x All-Star.

For Pelicans fans, Zion Williamson’s health is a touchy subject. Each season brings hope for a strong playoff push, only for a Zion injury to derail those chances. Last year, he managed to play a career-high 70 games, but an untimely injury in a play-in game against the Lakers – where Williamson was incidentally proving his worth – crushed New Orleans’ postseason dreams. He limped off the court after scoring 40 points, his season ending with a hamstring injury.

In his first 5 games this season, Zion Williamson has been putting up averages of 21.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks, shooting 44% from the field. Despite coming into the season in what many considered his best shape yet, his shooting has taken a noticeable dip compared to previous years. He has had his ups and downs, in fact, it happens to the best of us.

Last game, however, he was outstanding. He added a double-double to his name against the Pacers on Friday with 34 points and 10 assists. But in the game before that one, the hooper got put in Alcatraz by Draymond Green as the Pelicans took on the Warriors.

Coming into the season, Zion Williamson was reported to have lost 25 pounds, and people took notice. It was like the 24-year-old turned a new page, ready to live up to the expectations set for him when the Pelicans signed him in 2019. So, it made sense that the likes of Carmelo Anthony gave Zion some advice. “It’s not getting in shape, it’s remaining in shape. It’s remaining fit. You’re gonna get there, but are you gonna keep that going?” Anthony said, adding, “It’s a long season, and you really gotta put the work in to remain that way. There’s no days off.”

Well, after the Pelicans’ latest injury report, it looks like Zion Williamson is back on the bench. Needless to say, fans aren’t happy.

Fans are not happy with Zion Williamson out, ‘trade rumors’ re-ignited?

Breaking the news just 3 hours before the tipoff has had some strong reactions from the fans. One user tweeted, “Dang Zion be sitting out for ever minor thing. I bet one time they sit him out for a hang nail.” Hamstring tightness, although subjective, is not considered that severe of an injury to miss out on games for. But we don’t fully know the severity of the injury.

Another netizen wrote, “F–k Zion,” as I said, it’s a touchy subject. Fans have been upset for having a nuclear missile in their arsenal, but it is rarely being used. Williamson, when healthy, always ends up giving us some cool posters and highlights.

Another user tweeted, “Zion doesn’t want to be here. Trade him.” This fan is certainly not having any of it. Last season was the first time Williamson played 70 games, and in other seasons, the hooper had struggled to even get to 30. Maybe this was why the Pelicans protected themselves with a new contract for Williamson in 2022.

He signed a five-year extension worth $197 million, with the final three years not guaranteed. After Zion played only 29 games in 2022-23, it triggered a clause concerning his health. After the first two years of his deal, the Pelicans will have the power to let him go without any financial consequences. Considering those first two seasons are over, they’ll be free to trade the 24-year-old now.

If this continues, he might just be a good trade to get other players for the Pelicans. According to The Sporting News’ Stephen Noh, the Pels have the 3rd highest chance of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, should it get worse with Doc Rivers & Co. You never know; alongside Brandon Ingram, there’s a full-on likelihood that Zion Williamson’s ticket to Milwaukee might be a viable opportunity out.

Another person tweeted, “Bro, every game, the lineups get worse and worse, bruh.” Injuries have relentlessly plagued the New Orleans Pelicans this season. Yet, despite the numerous setbacks, they’ve managed to stay afloat, largely thanks to the availability of both Ingram and Williamson. The latter’s injury made it worse for an already shorthanded lineup, with guards Dejounte Murray (hand) and CJ McCollum (right adductor), forward Herb Jones (shoulder), and wing Trey Murphy III (right hamstring) all sidelined.

One netizen tweeted, “Pray for Brandon.” BI is the only regular among the starting 5 today! Which clearly highlights the injury plague. The responsibility for him would be huge, but without 4 regulars, it’s going to be a monumental task for Ingram and the Pelicans.