Zion Williamson ruled out for Pelicans’ game against Mavericks | Pelicans

One night after coming close to recording his first career triple-double, Zion Williamson is slated for the New Orleans Pelicans’ game Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center.

Williamson recorded 21 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds in Tuesday’s road win against the Chicago Bulls.

He will not play Wednesday as it is the second night of back-to-back games.

The Pelicans listed Williamson as out due to “return to play rehabilitation.”

Pelicans coach Willie Green was asked before Wednesday’s game if Williamson not playing the second night of a back-to-back is a team decision or a Williamson decision.

“It’s more of a team decision,” Green said.

It is the second time since his return from 27 games that Williamson has missed the second game of a back-to-back. His first game back from the hamstring injury was last Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he missed the following night when the Pelicans lost to the Portland Trail Blazers.

“As he gets more games under his belt, he’ll be able to play in some of those (back-to-back) games,” Green said last week.

The Pelicans are coming off a road trip where they went 2-1, beat the Philadelphia 76ers and Bulls and lost by just one point to the Boston Celtics. Williamson did not play against the 76ers due to a 1-game suspension from the team for being late to team activities.

After Wednesday’s game against the Mavericks, the Pelicans (9-32) host the Utah Jazz on Friday and Monday.

The next back-to-back games on the schedule are Jan. 24 and Jan. 25 when they play at the Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets.