Everyone from the front office to fans of the New Orleans Pelicans (45-31) can be forgiven for a restless night following a 117-108 home loss to the Orlando Magic. Injuries and the team's performance are to blame for lots of tossing and turning this week. Brandon Ingram is still working back from a knee contusion suffered on March 21, and the squad has looked lethargic for long stretches of a 1-4 start to a six-game home stand.
The Pelicans are trying to survive without Ingram, but it's not working out. This edition of the Pelicans has crumbled under pressure in five straight games against playoff-caliber clubs. The game against the Magic was not much different, but it could have been much worse given Zion Williamson sat out the final seven minutes due to a throbbing hand injury. The two-time All-Star's middle finger was bruised up with a slap to the backboard while going for a block.
Williamson knew when it happened too.
“Earlier in the game, it got hit a few times,” Williamson shared. “When I went for the block on Suggs, I kind of went with force and banged it against the backboard really hard.”
Thankfully, all tests came back negative. Willie Green said nothing was structurally wrong with Williamson's finger at practice the day after losing to Orlando. The Pelicans avoided the worst possible outcome with Williamson injury-wise, who is just sore and listed as day-to-day on the report. Next up is tackling a tough six-game stretch consisting of a four-game road trip bookended by dates with Victor Wembanyama and LeBron James.
Pelicans, Zion Williamson want whistles and answers
The hand injury was just a few centimeters close to being an afterthought or never happening at all. Williamson was targeted all night yet Paolo Banchero got all the calls. Williamson shot four free throws all game; Banchero shot five free throws in the opening 12 minutes. Banchero finished 10-of-13 from the charity stripe after starting the game 1-of-8 from the field in the first quarter.
Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Dyson Daniels were all ejected in the final seven seconds of the latest loss. The franchise's third-year head coach was still ready to cuss out the referees after having a night to sleep on the situation. It's not a good look for a young team trying to shake off a “soft mentality” loss versus the Phoenix Suns.
Still, Green could not help but share a few more thoughts when asked about the fouls on Williamson that went ignored against the Magic.
“They don’t even allow that in football,” Green stated matter of factly. “I know somebody said he slipped. When I went back and watched. Even when he slipped, he still lunged at (Williamson's) legs. He took him out. It’s the same thing as my intentions may be to go for a block. But if I slap you across the face, they normally give you a flagrant for that.”
The worst was avoided. Now the work of climbing back above the NBA Play-In Tournament line truly begins. The Pelicans went from fourth place in late March to seventh in early April. Four games separate the Dallas Mavericks (No. 5) and Golden State Warriors (No. 10). Williamson definitely has his hands full, regardless of when Ingram returns. At least with the latest news, getting accustomed to a bandaged hand is not likely part of the process.
Follow Us
Subscribe