We got the news we were all anticipating around 2:00 p.m. ET. With the Pelicans on the second leg of a back-to-back set on Thursday, Zion Williamson has been ruled out due to reconditioning. The former first-overall pick has yet to play in both games of a back-to-back in 2024-25. Heck, he’s only appeared in 18 games in total.
With Williamson out, where should DraftKings users turn for value? Let’s dive in.
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PG Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings, $5,000
It’s hard to know exactly how the Pelicans are going to alter their starting lineup to deal with Zion Williamson’s absence. The last time he missed a game — January 31 against the Celtics — Javonte Green ($3,800) stepped into the starting five, but the team’s roster has changed dramatically in the last two weeks thanks to the league’s trade deadline. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jordan Hawkins ($4,600) or Bruce Brown ($4,400) got the call, with the latter having made his New Orleans debut on Wednesday, leading all Pelicans’ reserves in minutes (26.0).
Instead, let’s simplify things. While I don’t know who will start in place of Williamson, I do know that Jose Alvarado will maintain his starting spot on Thursday. The veteran guard has started the last three games for New Orleans and he was masterful in this same matchup less than 24 hours ago, registering 18 points, nine assists and a season-high 42.75 FPTS. Alvarado isn’t known for being a big-time scorer and he’ll likely trail far behind both Trey Murphy III ($8,200) and CJ McCollum ($7,900) when it comes to usage this evening, but Williamson being sidelined does create a massive void. Williamson sports a huge 35.8% usage rate that easily leads the team. That means everyone, including Alvarado, will need to pick up the slack in a contest that owns this slate’s highest implied total.
