Zion injured in Pelicans' loss to 76ers

Chrissy Smith • January 3, 2023

PHILADELPHIA -- Too many first-quarter turnovers and too few free-throw attempts resulted in a 120-111 Pelicans loss against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.


76ers star Joel Embiid had 42 points and 11 rebounds while James Harden scored 27 points in the win. Although Embiid played with a sore back and was questionable to play before the game, the most disappointing news, is that the Pels lost Zion Williamson to a strained right hamstring in the third quarter.


New Orleans committed 17 total turnovers with seven of those coming in the first quarter alone. Philadelphia scored 20 points off the Pels’ turnovers, but the Pelicans managed to keep the game close until the final minute of play.


Both C.J. McCollum and Williamson scored 26 points each for New Orleans, but no one was able to stop Embiid as he dominated in every avenue of the game, scoring 42 points, having 11 boards, and hitting all 10 of his free throws.


The news of Williamson having to leave the game is not something Pelicans fans want to hear as it’s already been a challenge with Brandon Ingram not having played since November 25. Larry Nance is also currently out due to neck spasms.


The Pelicans will play again on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 7 pm against the Houston Rockets. The game will be played in the Smoothie King Center and tickets, although limited, are available. 

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Pelicans @ Nuggets Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • October 30, 2025
Team Stats (Pelicans at Nuggets) Final Score: 88-122 Rebounds: 36-57 Assists: 17-40 Steals: 9-5 Blocks: 3-5 Turnovers: 12-14 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Jeremiah Fears, 21; Nikola Jokić, 21 Rebound Leaders: Trey Murphy III, 7; Nikola Jokić, 12 Assist Leaders: Jeremiah Fears, 6; Nikola Jokić, 10 My Player of the Game: Jeremiah Fears Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The starters for this game were Fears, Murphy III, Jones, Zion, and Deandre Jordan. So that was different, and it didn't work at all. * With most of the third quarter over, Zion had five total points in the game. He finished with 11. * The Nuggets went on a 32-4 run in the third quarter. The Pelicans came out very slow to start off the third. * New Orleans went 7-of-33 from the three-point line. * Nikola Jokić had a triple-double. The Pelicans had no answer for him all night. * Do the Pelicans know that the season has started because the majority of the guys out there look like they still think they're playing Summer League. * The problem with this team isn't the talent because they have that. So what's the problem? Coaching, effort, etc.? This has to be fixed ASAP. Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.

Celtics @ Pelicans Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • October 28, 2025
Team Stats (Celtics at Pelicans) Final Score: 122-90 Rebounds: 54-35 Assists: 25-17 Steals: 5-7 Blocks: 7-0 Turnovers: 11-13 Stat Leaders Scoring Leaders: Anfernee Simons, 25; Jordan Poole, 22 Rebound Leaders: Neemias Queta, 11; Yves Miss, 7 Assist Leaders: Payton Prichard, 8; Trey Murphy, III, 5 My Player of the Game: Jordan Poole Chrissy's Key Takeaways * The first two losses of the season were tough but at least the team looked good. In this game, no one looked fired up to compete except Jordan Poole and Jose Alvarado. * Zion did not play because he's been spending all offseason getting in shape just so he could rest after two games. Makes no sense to me. * Trey Murphy and Herb Jones need to find their spark and stride. These guys have been putting in a ton of work in the offseason but it isn't showing right now. * Willie Green has got to be on a short leash because this 0-3 start feels like the team is just picking up where they left off except this time they're healthy and have all the momentum in the world. * The next three games for the Pelicans will be on the road against Denver, Clippers, and Thunder . Follow @TheKneaux on X, and follow me there too, @SportsChrissy.
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