New Orleans Pelicans fans will be disappointed to hear that star player Zion Williamson will be sidelined for Friday's Play-In game against the Sacramento Kings. The team announced that Williamson has suffered a left hamstring strain, following an MRI scan on Wednesday. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Despite showing an unstoppable performance during Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Williamson's night ended prematurely when he exited the court in the final minutes of the match. Pelicans coach Willie Green initially referred to the injury as left leg soreness. However, the subsequent diagnosis revealed the severity of the strain.

In an encouraging sign, Williamson was seen walking out of the Smoothie King Center after the game without any apparent mobility issues. There was no visible wrap on his leg either, indicating that the injury may not be severe. Nonetheless, the team's medical staff decided to err on the side of caution and sit him out for the upcoming Play-In game.

During Tuesday's game, the 23-year-old forward delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a game-high 40 points, along with 11 rebounds and five assists. This latest setback is a blow for Williamson, who had been displaying remarkable progress throughout the season. He averaged 22.9 points, 5.0 assists, and 5.8 rebounds over 70 games.

Notably, this Play-In game against the Kings would have marked the first non-regular-season or preseason game of Williamson's career. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued his time in the NBA thus far. Last season, he missed the Pelicans' play-in game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to injury. Moreover, Williamson sat out the entire 2021-22 season due to a fractured foot.

With Williamson's absence, the Pelicans will have to rely on their other players to secure victory against the Sacramento Kings in the elimination game on Friday. The Kings recently emerged victorious against the Golden State Warriors, so the Pelicans will face a challenging opponent.

Fans will undoubtedly be hoping for a speedy recovery for Williamson, as the Pelicans aim to progress in the Play-In tournament and secure a spot in the playoffs. As the young star continues to battle injuries, his health will remain a top priority for the team as they plan their postseason aspirations.