NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson sat out Thursday night's 103-93 loss to the Miami Heat because of irritation in his right fifth toe, but sources told ESPN that he is still expected to play in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game.
Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said the toe irritation is something Williamson has been trying to play through recently.
"It's one of those things that's just continued to get a little bit worse," Van Gundy said. "Obviously, a lot of minutes last night and the whole thing. So it got worse. But it's been something that he's had."
Williamson will be a part of Team Durant in the All-Star Game.
Williamson played 38 minutes in Wednesday night's loss to the Chicago Bulls. Though he finished with 28 points, he was upset that he shot just 8-of-16 from the free throw line. After the game, he spent roughly 40 minutes getting up extra shots on the Smoothie King Center floor.
Thursday night marked the second game Williamson missed this season but only the first for an injury-related issue. He missed a game on Jan. 13 in Los Angeles against the Clippers because of an inconclusive COVID-19 test.
