Star forward Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and will be sidelined for 7-10 days before being re-evaluated, the team said. announced on Tuesday.
The oft-injured former No. 1 overall pick appeared to be off to a good start but now faces his first setback of the 2025-26 season. Williamson played in just 30 games last year due to injury, marking the third time in his first six seasons that he missed at least 50 games.
However, the 25-year-old has started five of New Orleans' first six games this season, averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 31.4 minutes per night.
In the Pelicans' last game, a loss to the Thunder on Sunday, the former Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star had 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal on 7-of-14 shooting in 28 minutes of play.
Williamson's absence comes at a particularly bad time for New Orleans, as the team remains one of only two teams still winless (0-6). To add insult to injury—literally—their loss may not be worth anything, as the team's first-round pick (projected to be in the top three) belongs to the Atlanta Hawks.
Winless, the Pelicans return to action Tuesday for the first of a back-to-back when they host the Charlotte Hornets.
