Unfortunate Zion fact comes to light after Pels get eliminated

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson. Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunate Zion Williamson fact comes to light after Pelicans get eliminated

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated 5/2/24

Five years after being drafted, Zion Williamson is now the sole owner of a very unflattering distinction.

Williamson’s New Orleans Pelicans were officially swept out of the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 97-89 loss on Monday. The former top overall pick Williamson did not play at all in the series due to a hamstring injury.

ESPN shared an unfortunate fact about Williamson in the wake of his team’s season-ending loss. He is now the only lottery pick from the 2019 draft class who still has yet to appear in a single playoff game.

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Williamson and PJ Washington, who began his career with the floundering Charlotte Hornets, were the last two lottery picks from that draft without a playoff appearance heading into this NBA season. But Washington officially exited that club by getting traded to the Dallas Mavericks in February and joining them for their ongoing playoff run this year.

For the Pelicans’ part, they made playoff appearances both this season and in 2022, but Williamson didn't play either time due to injury. Just when it looked like he was peaking this year, Williamson suffered a hamstring issue in a play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers, thus ending his season.

The 23-year-old Williamson notably managed to play in 70 regular-season games and reportedly lost major weight during the season to help himself stay in shape. But he still has yet to be available when it matters the most: in the playoffs.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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