Pels' Williamson downgraded to out vs. Mavs

NEW ORLEANS — The Pelicans were without three starters Tuesday night, including Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones, but still managed to pull out a 113-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Williamson (right posterior hip/lower back contusion) and Jones (right knee hyperextension) were both originally listed as questionable for the game against the Mavs before being downgraded shortly after the morning shootaround finished.

The Pelicans had already ruled out forward Brandon Ingram, who was placed into concussion protocol Monday afternoon after colliding with teammate Naji Marshall in the Pelicans’ game Sunday against the Utah Jazz.

Trey Murphy III had 22 points to lead eight Pelicans players in double figures as New Orleans improved to 3-1.

The team is optimistic Williamson and Jones could return on the upcoming three-game West Coast road trip starting Friday night in Phoenix.

Williamson took a nasty fall in the game against the Jazz when his dunk attempt was blocked by Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson. Williamson fell directly on his back at the 8:07 mark of the fourth quarter. After staying in the game for one possession, Williamson checked out for good.

In three games this season, Williamson has averaged 22 points and 6.7 rebounds per game on 49.1% shooting.

Ingram was putting up 28.0 points per game in New Orleans’ first two contests and was on his way to another big game — 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting in 10 minutes against Utah — before he was forced to leave the game.