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117 articles
NOP • Power Forward • #1
20 days ago
The continued absences of Williamson and Missi are most impactful, as Derik Queen and Kevon Looney have served as the starting power forward and center. That should remain the case on Sunday, with Queen more likely to play starters’ minutes. As for Matković, his continued absence does not significantly affect the Pelicans’ rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Power Forward • #1
23 days ago
Friday’s game will be the second straight that Williamson has missed, but he was never ruled out for Tuesday’s win over the Jazz. He won’t play against the Celtics for injury management reasons, which may result in a second consecutive start for Kevon Looney.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Power Forward • #1
25 days ago
Williamson, Saddiq Bey and Herb Jones are all expected to sit out Tuesday’s game despite not being on the injury report. They will be in uniform, likely making this a “break in case of emergency” situation for them. Rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen should see their usage rates skyrocket due to the absences.
Source: Erin Summers
NOP • Power Forward • #1
27 days ago
Williamson’s final line was adequate, but most fantasy managers who roster the forward expect more. He was more productive on Sunday than in Friday’s loss to the Kings, but the biggest positive regarding Williamson this season has been his availability. The 62 games he’s played in are the second-most in a season in Zion’s career, trailing only 2023-24 70. The improved availability may push Williamson up some draft boards next fall, but many fantasy managers will remain skeptical.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
28 days ago
Williamson had a relatively quiet outing. He played under 30 minutes and scored his fewest points since February 28 against the Jazz. The former first-overall pick’s numbers currently some of the lowest of his career. He’s not currently finishing the fantasy season strong and likely isn’t someone fantasy managers can trust on Sunday’s fantasy finale against the Magic.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson put up solid percentages in Sunday’s defeat, but the overall stat line was limited. However, that has not been an issue for him on most nights since the All-Star break. Providing eighth-round value since the break, Williamson has shot 65.2 percent from the field and 71.3 percent from the foul line during this stretch. The Pelicans play three games in Week 23, but they’re off until Thursday.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 1 month ago
This was Zion’s fourth straight game with at least 20 points, though he continues to not contribute much for fantasy managers in other categories. The field goal percentage and points will continue to be strong, but Williamson remains a liability in other categories. He continues to be available, which is a great development for him, and should be an encouraging sign entering drafts next year. They have one more game this week, which will be on Sunday against the Rockets.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson has scored at least 21 points in three straight and five of his last seven appearances. And availability remains a strength for the Pelicans’ forward, which has not been the case for most of his NBA career. Williamson has only missed one game since December 14, allowing fantasy managers to benefit from him being a top-100 player since the All-Star break. The Pelicans have two more games in Week 22, starting with the Raptors on Friday. Zion has played back-to-backs, so managers should anticipate him being on the floor in Toronto.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson was able to lead the team in scoring once again, and he has now shot at least 70 percent from the floor in six straight games. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been as productive in other categories, which has limited his impact in category leagues. Still, he continues to play games, which is a huge development for him; he has only missed one game since returning from a six-game absence on Dec. 14. He’ll continue to pour in the efficient buckets with three more games on the schedule this week.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson had another efficient night shooting the basketball, making over 70 percent of his attempts from the field. The rebounds and assists were solid, but fantasy managers will have hoped to get more from Zion defensively. The Pelicans play four games in Week 22, starting with the Knicks on Tuesday.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
Williamson took advantage of his opportunities against the Mavericks, missing only two shots from the field en route to securing a team-high in points. Most of the former first-overall pick’s work on the offensive end was accomplished in the first three quarters, before he had a quiet fourth quarter as the Pelicans played with a large lead. Williamson’s efficiency throughout March has been great, albeit on relatively insignificant field-goal attempts per game. If he can increase his volume, another level of success could be reached from a fantasy standpoint.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
While much is made of Williamson’s lackluster three-point production and free-throw percentage in terms of his fantasy value, his limited defensive production has also been an issue in March. That was not the case on Friday, however, as the Pelicans’ forward recorded two blocked shots. In six appearances this month, Williamson has totaled three steals and two blocks. Given his athleticism, there may be some fantasy managers who hoped that some of that ability would translate to the defensive end of the floor. But at the very least, availability has not been a concern for Williamson, as he’s missed one game since mid-December.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
Williamson has scored at least 19 points in each of his last five appearances, and he has provided reliable top-100 fantasy value since the All-Star break. That may not seem like much, given his ADP, but it represents an improvement when compared to Williamson’s pre-break production. And with Dejounte Murray back in the fold running the point, Zion’s ceiling for the rest of the season has been raised.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
Williamson had 20 points on just eight attempts from the field, but only two rebounds and one assist. It didn’t help that he only played 23 minutes as the Pelicans ran away with the victory. While the Pelicans only have two games upcoming in Week 20, the good news is Williamson should be available for both contests given the amount of off-days.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
After putting up 24 points in his return to action on Tuesday against the Lakers, Zion dropped another 23 on the Kings. And he was efficient, shooting better than 70 percent from the field. Add in the rebounds and assists, and Thursday was an excellent night for those who have Zion rostered. The Pelicans are in Phoenix on Friday, and it remains to be seen if Williamson will be available. Back-to-backs weren’t an issue before his most recent ankle injury, so he may be able to play.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
Zion was questionable for this game, but he will be good to go against Sacramento. He had 24 points against the Lakers on Thursday and will look to stay hot against a porous Kings defense.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
Williamson’s right ankle sprain has him back on the injury report after logging 33 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Lakers. With the Pelicans facing the Suns the following night, it’s possible that Williamson sits out one of the next two games. With Dejounte Murray (Achilles) also out, DeAndre Jordan and Bryce McGowens may move up in the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
Following a one-game absence with an ankle injury, which came after playing in 35 straight games, Williamson returned to take on Los Angeles. Excluding the game he exited early with the ankle injury, Zion has scored at least 20 points in six straight games. They have a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday, and while Williamson had been playing in back-to-backs, there is a chance he sits out as he manages this ankle injury. If he does, he’ll likely sit against the Kings on Thursday and play against the Suns on Friday.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
With Williamson returning to action after a one-game absence, the Pelicans will begin Tuesday’s contest without a legitimate center. DeAndre Jordan heads to the bench, while Saddiq Bey continues to start. Given how well Bey has played this season, it would have been extremely difficult to remove him from the starting five.
Source: NBA Lineups
NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 2 months ago
Williamson will be back after missing just one game with an ankle injury. Trey Murphy returned to the lineup in that game and filled Zion’s starting spot. That likely means one of Saddiq Bey or Herb Jones will be pushed to a bench role, though both will still play significant minutes.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
NOP • Power Forward • #1
2 months ago
Williamson was held out of Sunday’s loss to the Clippers, the first game that he’s missed since December 11. If he’s able to play on Tuesday, Williamson may push Saddiq Bey out of the starting lineup. Bey will still play plenty, so those who have him rostered should not be too concerned.
Source: Will Guillory
NOP • Power Forward • #1
2 months ago
Williamson had to leave Saturday’s win over the Jazz during the second quarter, and Sunday’s game will be the first that he’s missed since December 11. With Trey Murphy (shoulder) back, he can slide into Williamson’s spot in the starting lineup, while Dejounte Murray replaces Bryce McGowens.
Source: Justin Russo
NOP • Power Forward • #1
2 months ago
Williamson exited Saturday’s win over the Jazz during the second quarter and did not return. He has appeared in a career-best 35 straight games, so continuing that streak may be a motivating factor for Zion to play on Sunday. If he doesn’t play, Trey Murphy (shoulder) is available and can slide into that spot in the starting lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Power Forward • #1
2 months ago
Williamson sprained his right ankle early in the second quarter of Saturday’s game, and the Pelicans have ruled him out for the rest of the night. In 11 minutes, he recorded four points, one rebound and two assists. New Orleans visits the Clippers on Sunday, so they may have to account for the absence of a starter. If Dejounte Murray plays on Sunday and Zion doesn’t, Bryce McGowens could get another start. Jeremiah Fears, who played well during the first half, replaced Williamson in the lineup to begin the third quarter.
Source: Jim Eichenhofer
NOP • Power Forward • #1
2 months ago
Williamson had another strong game as a scorer, having finished with at least 25 points in three of his last four games. However, it’s his continued availability that has been the most impressive. He hasn’t missed a game since mid-December, which has extended the longest streak without missing a game of his career. It’s unfortunate that Williamson’s having the healthiest year of his career in a lost season for the Pelicans, but it should give managers optimism when drafting him next season.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
2 months ago
Williamson was hard to stop on the offensive end of the floor, with all 13 of his baskets coming inside the paint. His interior dominance led him to reach the 30-point mark as a scorer for the fifth time this season. The former No. 1 pick didn’t provide much else aside from scoring, but his ability to put the ball in the basket on Friday was alone enough for a good fantasy performance.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
Williamson has scored 18 points or more in four straight games, shooting 45 percent or better from the field in each. While the lack of defensive production may be a point of frustration for some category league managers, the good news is that he hasn’t missed a game since December 11. And over the past two months, Williamson has provided top-50 value for managers punting free-throw percentage, according to Basketball Monster. The Pelicans complete their Week 17 with two games after the All-Star break, starting with Milwaukee on February 20.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
Williamson recorded a modest stat line on Monday, but the rebounds, assists and percentages were especially valuable to category league managers. Over the past two weeks, the Pelicans’ forward has offered seventh-round per-game value in eight-cat formats according to Basketball Monster. Williamson and the Pelicans will look to go into the All-Star break on a high note when they host the Heat on Wednesday.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
Give Williamson credit for knowing where his bread is buttered as a scorer. The Pelicans forward did not register an official shot outside of the paint on Friday, and the result was his highest point total in nearly a month. Over the past two weeks, Williamson has been close to a top-75 player in eight-cat formats. The only negative for fantasy managers is that New Orleans is done for Week 16, with the team’s next game scheduled for Monday against the Kings.
NOP • Power Forward • #1
3 months ago
Williamson displayed his unique athleticism midway through the third quarter when he took the ball the length of the floor, made multiple defenders miss and finished with a dunk at the rim. The play was equally as impressive as the fact he was able to execute it so effortlessly. Zion has provided 10th-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans have one more game left in Week 16, coming up Friday against the Timberwolves on the road.