Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram out vs. Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns opponents have been relatively healthy four games into the year.

That changes Friday when the Suns host the New Orleans Pelicans at Footprint Center.

Zion Williamson, who missed all of last season with an injury, is out with a hip and back contusion, the team announced.

Meanwhile, fellow Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram had already been ruled out for New Orleans’ road trip due to a concussion.

Dyson Daniels (left ankle sprain) and defensive ace Herb Jones are also out with a knee issue, although the latter and Williamson participated in some part of practice a day prior to the game.

Jose Alvarado (low back spasms) and C.J. McCollum (right third PIP finger sprain) are available after coming into the contest as questionable.

The Pelicans are off to a 3-1 start to the season, with wins over the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Dallas Mavericks. They lost to the surprising Utah Jazz.

Williamson hasn’t missed much of a beat after sitting out 2021-22 — including a first-round playoff series loss to Phoenix — due to a foot fracture.

He’s averaged 22 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals in 30 minutes per game. Williamson sat out a 113-111 win against the Mavericks on Tuesday.

Ingram also played the first three games before missing the last outing. He’s averaging 22 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting a lights-out 58% from the field.

Jones is averaging 7.3 points and 1.3 blocks per game in three outings.

Tune to 98.7, the Arizona Sports app or ArizonaSports.com for the Pelicans-Suns game with tipoff at 7 p.m. Friday.

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