Zion Williamson was suspended for one game by the Pelicans for arriving late on the team's flight to Philadelphia. According to ESPN's Shams Charania.
As a result, he will miss New Orleans' Friday night game against the 76ers.
NBA official Chris Haynes reported that prior to Thursday's incident, Williamson had been “late for multiple practices this season,” leading to his suspension.
“I take full responsibility for this suspension,” Williamson said in a statement. Released on NBA.com. “I have worked hard on my rehabilitation to get healthy so I can contribute to this team. There is no excuse for being late to team activities. I apologize to Mrs. Benson, my teammates and coaches, and I also apologize to the fans. I have an obligation to do that. I can and will get better as a teammate and as a member of this organization.”
“This one-game suspension is due to a failure to meet team standards,” Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin said in a statement. His dedication to this organization is extremely important to us and to him. He takes responsibility for his actions and today reaffirmed that commitment to the team. I'm confident he will continue to evolve in a positive way on and off the floor. ”
The latest issue makes what has been a disastrous season for Williamson and the Pelicans even worse.
Williamson has played in just seven games due to a lingering hamstring injury.
The former No. 1 overall pick had an injury-plagued career, playing in just 191 of 482 regular season games.
Earlier this season, Williamson parted ways with the powerhouse Creative Arts Agency, which had represented him since he was drafted in 2019.
With Williamson and fellow star Brandon Ingram out for much of the season, the Pelicans are one of the worst teams in basketball.
Heading into Friday's game, New Orleans' 7-31 record was the worst in the Western Conference and second-worst in the NBA behind the Wizards, who were 6-29.
The team's poor play led them to consider trading Williamson and Ingram as a possible pivot to rebuilding mode.
