The New Orleans Pelicans announced Tuesday that forward Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain that will sideline him for at least seven to 10 days. The Pelicans said Williamson will be reevaluated after that period.
Zion Williamson’s NBA career is littered with injuries
The 25-year-old Williamson finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists as the Pelicans were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunder 137-106 on Sunday. He shot 7-for-14 (50%) in 28 minutes of action.
Although Williamson leads New Orleans in points (22.8 points per game), rebounds (6.8) and assists (4.6), the two-time All-Star has missed the past four seasons with foot, back and hamstring injuries.
INJURY UPDATE: The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain.
He will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days and further updates will be provided as appropriate.
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 4, 2025
In the six NBA seasons since being the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft, Williamson has appeared in 61 or more games just twice. He played in 30 games last season before the Pelicans suspended him last March with a bone contusion in his back.
Williamson has missed just one game this season, a bone bruise in his left foot during New Orleans’ 122-90 loss to the Boston Celtics on Oct. 27.
New Orleans guarantees Williamson’s salary through 2025-26 season
During the offseason, the Pelicans guaranteed Williamson’s $39.4 million salary for this season. His salary for the 2025-26 season is part of the five-year, $197.23 million contract extension he signed with New Orleans in July 2022.
He will make $42.16 million in 2026-27 and $44.9 million in 2027-28. However, those salaries are not guaranteed unless Williamson reaches an appearance threshold next season.
Williamson played 30 games or fewer in three seasons and missed the entire 2021-22 season. He has played in just 219 games since New Orleans drafted him.
Last season, Williamson averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 30 games, shooting 56.7% from the field and 65.6% from the free throw line.
Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars tells Rod Walker Times-Picayune In June, he “had a really good conversation with Zion” and said Williamson “will continue to be the focus here.”
Pelicans win first game after dropping first six games
A year after New Orleans finished with a 21-61 record and a 14th seed in the Western Conference, the team added veterans Jordan Poole, Kevon Looney and Saddiq Bey via trade over the summer.
Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen and Micah Peavy were also called up in June.
“I like our roster. I like the players we added,” Pelicans fifth-year head coach Willie Green said during media day. “In addition to our rookies, this team is young but full of veterans. We also have some first-year players who are going to be instrumental in our success. I like this group. We have to go out there and keep working hard.”
However, the Pelicans won their first game of the 2025-26 season, 116-112, over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night in front of a frustrated crowd at Smoothie King Center.
Trey Murphy III scored 21 points for the Pelicans, while Jose Alvarado added 18 points and led the second unit with four 3-pointers. Substitute Saddiq Bey also ended his game with 17 runs.
Their win leaves the Brooklyn Nets (0-7) as the only winless team in the NBA.
New Orleans will visit the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.
