Pelicans shut down Zion, McCollum for rest of season
The New Orleans Pelicans announced Monday that Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum will miss the remainder of the season due to respective back and foot injuries.
Williamson missed the last five contests due to a lower-back bone contusion. The No. 1 pick in 2019 played in 30 games this season and averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Williamson has played under 30 games in four of his six seasons in the NBA. He missed the entirety of the 2021-22 campaign due to a foot fracture.
McCollum was sidelined for the last three contests due to a bone contusion in his foot. He averaged 21.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 56 games.
McCollum has averaged at least 20 points since winning Most Improved Player in 2016, a span that covers 10 straight seasons.
The Pelicans are already without Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy III for the rest of the campaign.
New Orleans ranks 14th in the Western Conference with a 21-54 record.