Photo: Instagram/Zion Williamson The absence of New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson in their play-in loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder has drawn criticism from fans. Despite being sidelined due to injury, Williamson was blamed for his team's elimination from postseason contention. The Pelicans, ranked ninth, were defeated by the tenth-ranked Thunder 123-118 at the Smoothie King Center. Photo: Instagram/Zion Williamson putting on a show against the Raptors' defense. Although Brandon Ingram , Herbert Jones , and Trey Murphy III all scored over 20 points, the Thunder's Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored over 30 points each, powering their team to victory and a place in the second round of the play-in tournament against the Minnesota Timberwolves . Since being drafted first overall in the 2019 NBA draft out of Duke, Williamson has struggled with injuries, and his most recent hamstring injury has kept him out of action since January 2. Even if the Pelican...