Pelicans’ Williamson out with finger injury

Pelicans star Zion Williamson is sidelined indefinitely with a fractured left finger, a major blow to the team’s run at a Western Conference play-in spot.

The 20-year-old forward is averaging 27 points and 7.2 rebounds in 61 games, and the injury comes before the Pelicans opened a five-game trip Friday against certain or potential playoff teams.

The Pelicans said a timetable for Williamson’s return would be determined upon further evaluation. He appeared to hurt the finger trying to grab a rebound Tuesday against the Warriors.

Pelicans VP of basketball David Griffin ripped the NBA and its officiating for not doing more to protect their franchise player.

The Pelicans entered Friday’s game against the 76ers within 1 ½ games of the final West play-in spot.

Golf: Matt Wallace, Patrick Rodgers and 2019 U.S. Open champ Gary Woodland shared a one-stroke lead midway through the PGA Tour’s Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, N.C. Wallace shot a 4-under 67, Rodgers 68 and Woodland 69. First-round leader Phil Mickelson, 50, followed an opening 64 with a 75 but still was only three back of the lead . ... Patty Tavatanakit shot a second straight 8-under 64 to take a three-stroke lead over fellow countrywoman Atthaya Thitikul midway through the LPGA Thailand in Chonburi . ... U.S. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker shot a 3-under 69 to move into a four-way tie for the lead midway through the Tradition in Birmingham, Ala. Stricker won the event in 2019, the last time the PGA Tour Champions major was contested.

Soccer: Only nine of the 12 European clubs who launched an ill-fated bid to form a Super League agreed to a peace deal with UEFA and accepted being fined 5% of UEFA revenue for one season. The remaining trio of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are at risk of being banned from the Champions League.