NEW ORLEANS — LSU legend and pro basketball hall-of-famer Shaquille O'Neal offered up his solution to Pelicans forward Zion Williamson exiting the NBA Play-In Tournament game due to a possible hamstring injury with the score tied at 95 and just 3:13 to play.
“Icy Hot," said O'Neal when talking to fellow Inside the NBA hosts following the Pels' 110-106 loss to the Lakers in New Orleans on Tuesday night.
Not even Charles Barkley's take on the possible severity of Williamson's injury Pelicans head coach Willie Green called 'left leg soreness' could dissuade O'Neil in his suggestion as he quickly fired back with more "Icy Hot" – a company he has been partnered with for more than two decades.
Prior to his exit, Williamson was already the game's top scorer with 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists in a losing effort.
Before the game, O'Neal challenged the oft-injured 23-year-old, two-time All-Star – who played in just 114 games in his first four seasons – to reach another level.
“This is the 187th game [185 including Play-In], only one time he has hit 40 points," said O'Neal. "My question is, ‘Can you turn it up?"
Afterward, O'Neal gave Williamson his due.
"I was very impressed, I hate to see him go down like that," admitted O'Neal. "Now that we see what he can do, in order to be a great player he has to continue this and go to the next step."
Lakers All-Star Lebron James also touted Williamson's performance after the game.
"Tonight was just a small microcosm of how great he can be," said the four-time league MVP. "He’s a star.”
With the loss, the Pelicans are now in a must-win against Sacramento in the Western Conference play-in finale at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Friday.
On Wednesday afternoon, ESPN Senior NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski says Williamson (left hamstring) is out for Friday’s elimination game.
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