On Tuesday evening, the New Orleans Pelicans will host the Memphis Grizzlies in Louisiana.   

For the game, they could be without one of their best players, as star forward Zion Williamson is on the injury report with an illness.    

Via The Pelicans: “Zion Williamson (non-COVID illness) is QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game vs. Memphis”

Williamson has played in 22 games so far this season and is averaging 22.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.1 steals per contest while shooting 58.3% from the field and 28.6% from the three-point range. 

The Pelicans are the seventh seed in the Western Conference with a 16-11 record in their first 27 games. 

They are in the middle of a four-game winning streak and are 7-3 over their last ten games. 

Most recently, the Pelicans defeated the San Antonio Spurs by a score of 146-110. 

In 26 minutes of playing time, Williamson had 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block while shooting 7/12 from the field. 

The Memphis Grizzlies could use help, and it’s on the way.

Not only is two-time All-Star Ja Morant expected to play Tuesday against the Pelicans in New Orleans in his return from his 25-game NBA suspension, but fellow starter Marcus Smart also is closing in on a return. Smart has been out since Nov. 14 with a sprained left foot.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said last week that the team was hoping to get Smart in five-on-five action during the weekend. Jenkins revealed on Monday that Smart participated in play-groups on Saturday and Monday morning. He’s expected to have another play-group and return to action later this week.

“Marcus is really close,” Jenkins said. ” . . . Somewhere in that Indiana and Atlanta time frame, we’re hopeful that he’ll be back in the lineup then.”

The Grizzlies (6-18) play the Indiana Pacers on Thursday at home and will go to Atlanta to face the Hawks on Saturday.

Smart’s return will add depth to a Grizzlies lineup that is currently shallow at guard. Derrick Rose left Friday’s game against the Houston Rockets in the second quarter because of left hamstring tightness. The team announced Monday that he’s expected to be week-to-week, but Jenkins sounded optimistic on the 35-year-old’s recovery timeline.