The Portland Trail Blazers took full advantage of the depleted New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night, winning 119-100 at the Smoothie King Center. The Blazers dominated from the start, winning the first quarter 40-24 and then building a 75-42 halftime lead. Their 75 first-half points and 68.9% shooting were season highs.

In fact, the Blazers almost scored more points in the first quarter (40) than the Pelicans scored in the entire first half (42). The Pels trailed 75-42 at the break, drawing boos from the home crowd as they headed to the locker room.

Anfernee Simons scored 17 points and Toumani Camara 15 for Portland, which led 75-42 at halftime and cruised from there. Deandre Ayton scored 11 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Blazers, who shot 54.5%.

The New Orleans Pelicans have ruled out Zion Williamson for their game Wednesday night against the visiting Portland Trail Blazers as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has been ruled out for Wednesday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers as he continues his comeback from a left hamstring strain. Williamson returned on Tuesday night following a 27-game absence and scored 22 points in a little less than 28 minutes in a 104-97 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Williamson has been out of the lineup since Nov. 6 because of a strained left hamstring. He has appeared in six games this season, and, in part because they have dealt with an array of other injuries,

One day after playing in his first game since early November, Zion Williamson will miss the Pelicans' Wednesday night game at Smoothie King Center against the Portland trail Blazers.