SALT LAKE CITY — Zion Williamson left early in the second quarter after a right ankle injury and did not return as the New Orleans Pelicans closed out a 115-105 win over the Jazz, completing a two-game sweep in Utah. Williamson finished with four points, two assists and one rebound in 11 minutes before exiting the game.
What happened when Zion Williamson left the game?
Williamson rolled or otherwise injured his right ankle early in the second quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the night. The Pelicans announced he would not return; Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said only that Williamson had “tweaked” his ankle, adding that he would seek more information and hoped it was nothing serious. Team communications also noted Williamson did not return after the injury.
How did the Pelicans win without him?
New Orleans rallied around a balanced offensive night. Saddiq Bey led the Pelicans with 24 points after a recent 42-point performance a few nights earlier, shooting 7-for-16 from the field and 3-for-8 from long distance. Jeremiah Fears and Bryce McGowens each added 18 points; Fears also grabbed 11 rebounds and delivered five assists. Herbert Jones scored 17 points, with 10 in the first half, and Jordan Poole contributed 11. The Pelicans used a 15-0 run to close the second quarter and opened a 25-point lead at halftime on 50 percent shooting in the first half, holding Utah to 27 percent in that span.
Utah fought back after the break, cutting the deficit and even opening the fourth with nine straight points to close within seven. New Orleans answered with an 8-0 run that restored a comfortable margin. For the Jazz, Isaiah Collier led with 21 points. Keyonte George returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with ankle sprains and scored 17. Elijah Harkless added 14, Ace Bailey 13, Kyle Filipowski 12 and Brice Sensabaugh 10.
What comes next for Zion Williamson and the Pelicans?
Williamson’s exit adds to a roster narrative that has included multiple injuries over recent games. Trey Murphy III missed his fifth straight game with a right shoulder injury; Dejounte Murray remained out while in return-to-competition conditioning and Yves Missi was sidelined with a left calf strain. On the opposition side, Utah was missing several rotation players as well.
Earlier coverage of the club’s schedule noted that after the Utah stretch, the team had back-to-back road contests and that Williamson sat out the second night of a back-to-back against the Clippers after the ankle event. Separate team listings showed Williamson as the only player on an injury report with a questionable tag for a subsequent matchup and that he expected to be available. The coaching staff emphasized monitoring and assessment: Borrego said he would get more information and hoped the injury was not serious.
Practically, that means the Pelicans will chart Williamson’s recovery through examinations and day-to-day updates while leaning on the depth that produced the win in Salt Lake City. The game underscored how quickly an in-game change can shift minutes and roles, with others stepping forward to preserve a winning run.
Back in the same Salt Lake City arena where the night began, the image of Williamson walking off the court with trainers remains unresolved. The team leaves Utah with a sweep but with a lingering question over a star who left after 11 minutes. As the Pelicans head into the next stops of their road trip, the timeline for Williamson’s return will depend on the assessments Borrego promised to obtain and the follow-up care the medical staff recommends.
Image caption (alt text): Zion Williamson exits the game after a right ankle injury in Salt Lake City
