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Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson will miss Thursday night’s game against the Miami Heat due to irritation in his right-hand fifth tone, but sources told ESPN that he is expected to continue playing in the NBA All-Star Game.
Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said the tone’s irritation is something Williamson has been trying to get through recently.
“It’s one of those things that only gets a little worse,” Van Gundy said. “It’s clear that many minutes last night and the whole thing. It got worse. But it was something he had.”
Williamson will be part of Team Durant in the All-Star Game.
Williamson played 38 minutes in the Chicago Bulls defeat Wednesday night. Although he finished with 28 points, he was upset that he only shot 8-of-16 from the free-throw line. After the game, he spent about 40 minutes extra shots on the Smoothie King Center floor.
Thursday night is the second game Williamson has missed this season, but only the first game for an injury-related issue. He misses a game on January 13 in Los Angeles against the Clippers due to an unconvincing COVID-19 Test.