UPDATE: Zion Williamson's Game Status For Rockets-Pelicans, 12/23
New Orleans Pelicans (17-12, 6th Western) reports the game status of star forward Zion Williamson (questionable - illness) as they host the Houston Rockets (14-12, 8th Western) at 6:00 PM CT in Smoothie King Center for a Southwest Division tilt. New Orleans is 3-3 this season without Williamson in the lineup.
New Orleans will need Zion Williamson's services to compete against the upstart Houston team, which boasts young talents like Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson. In their last meeting on November 11th, the Rockets narrowly avoided a loss to the Pelicans with a fourth-quarter comeback, winning 104-101.
New Orleans is 9-5 at home, and the Rockets are 2-10 on the road. The Rockets are 1.5 games back from the Pelicans in the division after defeating the Dallas Mavericks 122-96 on Friday night.
Nov 10, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives with the ball as Houston Rockets forward Jae'Sean Tate (8) defends during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON ROCKETS vs. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
GAME INFO
- New Orleans Pelicans (17-12) vs. Houston Rockets (13-12)
- Regular Season Game #30 • Home Game #15
- Smoothie King Center • New Orleans, LA
- December 23, 2023 • 6:00 p.m. (CT)
- TV: Bally Sports • Radio: WRNO 99.5 FM
- Live Streaming for a free trial on FuboTV
- Officials: Tony Brothers (#25), Tyler Ford (#39), Che Flores (#91)
- Uniforms: Rockets - White Association Edition vs. Pelicans - Red Statement Edition
PELICANS INJURY REPORT - 12/23/2023
QUESTIONABLE
- Zion Williamson (illness, non-Covid)
- Cody Zeller (right ankle, sprain)
OUT
- Matt Ryan (right elbow, soreness)
- Larry Nance, Jr (Rib Contusion)
ROCKETS INJURY REPORT - 12/23/2023
DOUBTFUL
- Reggie Bullock Jr. (illness)
QUESTIONABLE
- Tari Eason (left leg, soreness)
OUT
- Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair)
Last Game Starters
New Orleans Pelicans
- CJ McCollum
- Herb Jones
- Brandon Ingram
- Zion Williamson
- Jonas Valanciunas
Houston Rockets
- Dillon Brooks
- Jabari Smith Jr
- Alperen Sengun
- Jalen Green
- Fred VanVleet
