Jake Madison here, the host of the daily Locked On Pelicans podcast, with your daily Locked On Pelicans newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pelicans and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Zion Williamson’s Injury: A Closer Look at the Pelicans’ Concerns
Photo by Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Pelicans are facing a perplexing situation with Zion Williamson’s recent injury. As a Pelicans insider, I’ve been closely monitoring the developments, and there’s an undeniable sense of mystery surrounding his absence from the last two games. Williamson, who played impressively against the Indiana Pacers, reported discomfort in his right hamstring shortly after. This led to his questionable status for the game against the Atlanta Hawks, where he participated in a pregame warm-up but didn’t seem his usual self. Observing him, it was clear something was amiss; his usual explosiveness was lacking, and he didn’t finish with his customary dunk.
The situation took another turn when Williamson was ruled out of the subsequent game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a right thigh injury, not the hamstring issue initially reported. This change in diagnosis, coupled with the fact that he didn’t attend the game on doctors’ orders, raises questions. Head coach Willie Green described the injuries as day-to-day concerns, yet the lack of imaging or further medical updates adds to the uncertainty.
Understanding the Pelicans’ Injury Management
Given Williamson’s history with hamstring injuries, the Pelicans’ cautious approach is understandable. Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, often requiring rest and time rather than surgical intervention. However, the absence of imaging or detailed medical reports leaves room for speculation. It’s crucial to remember that teams often withhold full transparency regarding player injuries, seeking any competitive edge they can. This isn’t unique to the Pelicans; it’s a common practice across the NBA, as seen with teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Pelicans’ current injury woes extend beyond Williamson. The team is dealing with injuries to key players like Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, and C.J. McCollum, among others. These injuries have left the team significantly depleted, with six of their top seven players sidelined. While some fans might call for a revamp of the team’s medical and performance staff, it’s important to note that the Pelicans have already made significant changes in this area. The current injuries, many of which occurred during games, are often the result of bad luck rather than systemic issues.
As the Pelicans navigate this challenging period, the focus remains on managing these injuries effectively and ensuring players return to full health. The team’s resilience and ability to compete despite these setbacks are commendable, and there’s hope that with time, the Pelicans will regain their full strength.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Zion Williamson’s injury and the Pelicans’ current challenges, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
- Analysis of the Pelicans’ recent loss to the Portland Trailblazers
- Discussion on the impact of injuries on the team’s performance
- Updates on the status of other injured players like Trey Murphy and Jordan Hawkins
Sports fandom has long been a vehicle of escape, basketball fandom perhaps even more so. If you’re someone who toggles between NBA and WNBA, then you’ll never have a break in games you can escape into. If you’re purely an NBA watcher, then the league has done its willful best to make its product one that runs all year round, even if the games themselves take a break. If you’re even a little online then you can find something NBA-related to get excited/upset/anxious/overworked about any day the year, even in the deepest dregs of August.
Escapism is fine as a temporary measure. There’s no person alive that doesn’t seek it out in some shape or form, sometime. In basketball fandom the dangers of treating the game, and the people who play it, as a pure means of escape run fairly parallel to the dangers of this political moment.
To lose sight of the humanity of athletes, to range on the spectrum of othering to nullification of their personhood; to assume a franchise has only your interests as its sole, driving concern. To put so much stake into the outcome of a game, a season, that anything outside of pure dominance and control is considered failure. To take on defeat as a personality trait and grow miserable, hostile, blame serving both as vitriolic release and an easy balm.
This is perhaps a clumsy attempt to address the U.S. election results last night in a newsletter about NBA basketball, but it seemed a perfect encapsulation of my point of blind escapism to write about OKC’s pestering defence, or Joel Embiid’s three game suspension after shoving a reporter, and make no mention of Donald Trump’s second ascension.
Basketball isn’t apolitical. No sport is, but the NBA hasn’t been for a long time. Shut up and dribble, stop-work protests in the Orlando Bubble led by athletes personally the target of police brutality, taking a knee. Even when it isn’t trying to be, it is, because it’s a game played by people and beyond that, predominantly Black men. In October 1979, when the Knicks paired their roster from 13 players down to 11 — a move required by league regulation — media and fans jumped on the move because the remaining team became the first all Black roster in the league. “White people have to have white heroes,” Cavs owner, Ted Stepien said at the time, “I myself can’t equate to Black heroes, I’ll be truthful. I respect them, but I need white people.”
Being the target of someone’s desire for escapism can be enough to turn something from the political to the personal, and vice versa. We’re seeing a new iteration of it now with the rise of sports betting and the blurring of boundaries between athletes and fans, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saw and put it succinctly in the early 1970s. “Out there, you’re a vector for all the hostility in the stands,” he said.
As a conduit for escape, there are no political prerequisites. Fandom isn’t barred from you based on your voting patterns. There may be an urge now, regardless of how you hoped (even as an observer, as I am) this election ended up, to burrow into basketball as escape, almost as a reflexive action. The distinct humanitarian fracturing at play not only in this election but on a global scale, this onus of “us vs.them”, or blame over solution (blame as solution), the narrowing of scope to only have your own interests at heart, is all a symptom of escapism. Just as it’s crucial as an engaged fan to not lose sight of an athlete’s personhood, the same goes, albeit on a decidedly more critical scale, in the wider world.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Must Read Over the years, the NBA has learned to embrace activism and social justice. Read more. (TIME)
Legacy Reflecting on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s impact — here’s how he changed the rules for Black athletes. (National Endowment for the Humanities)
Analysis How did Sterling Brown get the NBA to listen to its players? (The Daily Beast)
Rumor The Warriors and Heat have emerged as potential trade destinations for a Pelicans star, sparking speculation on team dynamics. Read more. (Sports Illustrated)
Trade The latest reports suggest a potential trade involving a $158 million star to the Warriors, causing a stir among Pelicans fans. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Replacements For Jeremy Sochan & Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena.|Photo by Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
As we gear up for another action-packed Wednesday with 12 NBA games, it’s crucial to stay updated on player statuses and potential fantasy basketball moves. Injuries are shaking up lineups, and knowing who to add or drop can make all the difference in your fantasy league.
Key Injuries and Player Additions
Aaron Gordon’s calf strain is a significant blow, sidelining him for an estimated four weeks. This opens up opportunities for Peyton Watson, who is expected to see increased minutes, making him a valuable addition to your roster. Julian Strawther might also benefit, but Watson is the priority pick.
Jeremy Sochan’s thumb fracture is another long-term injury, likely keeping him out for six to eight weeks. In his absence, Julian Champagnie emerges as a strong candidate for increased playing time. While Keldon Johnson might be a points league preference, Champagnie is a solid choice across formats.
Nick Richards is dealing with fractured rib cartilage, sidelining him for at least two weeks. With Mark Williams also out, the Hornets will likely start Taj Gibson, but he’s not a recommended fantasy add. Instead, keep an eye on Grant Williams, who could be a viable option in deeper leagues.
Game Previews and Strategic Considerations
The Detroit Pistons face the Charlotte Hornets, with the Hornets slightly favoured. Jalen Duren’s recent performances have been promising, but his minutes might be capped, allowing Isaiah Stewart to continue his role as a backup centre. Stewart’s current role suits him well, and he’s performing admirably in it.
For the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller’s dynamics are worth monitoring. Ball’s interactions with Charles Lee and Miller’s reduced minutes and shooting are areas of concern. Miles Bridges’ performance has been underwhelming, but improvement is expected.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
How Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Willie Green got the New Orleans Pelicans back on track Can the New Orleans Pelicans sustain their recent surge in performance? With strong games against the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks, the Pelicans seem back on track. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are leading the charge, showcasing their star power with impressive stats and teamwork.
Willie Green’s critical moment: Can the New Orleans Pelicans turn it around? The New Orleans Pelicans face a critical stretch as they navigate a challenging four-game homestand. With key players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram on the court, the team has yet to meet expectations.
Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans fail to show up AGAIN Pelicans’ Struggles: Can They Bounce Back? The New Orleans Pelicans face a challenging period after two disappointing losses to the Warriors, even without Steph Curry. Zion Williamson’s unexpected poor performance, scoring just 12 points on 5 of 20 shooting, raises questions about the team’s current form.
