Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Will be evaluated in two weeks
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Williamson is "progressing well through rehabilitation" of his left hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks.
Williamson's setback-free progression amid a multi-week absence bodes well, and Dec. 19 versus Houston becomes the next landmark game in Williamson's timeline. New Orleans will certainly exercise caution with the 24-year-old's long-term health, but residing in last place in the Western Conference could push the agenda.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Not close to returning
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Williamson (hamstring) is not close to returning and remains without a timetable, Shams Charania of ESPN said during an appearance on NBA Today. "I am told Williamson is not remotely close to coming back. Typically, it's a 4-6 week injury, but the Pelicans are bracing for him to be out beyond that point. I am told he has received multiple injections in that hamstring," Charania stated.
Given Williamson's injury history, this is an unsurprising, yet disappointing, update. With the Pelicans preparing for an absence that will likely extend past mid-December, it wouldn't be shocking to see Williamson held out until after Christmas or even into the New Year. The star forward averaged 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 blocks per game in his six appearances this season. Williamson appeared in a career-high 70 regular-season games last season after playing in only 114 contests over his first four NBA campaigns. On the bright side, New Orleans did get positive updates on CJ McCollum (thigh), Dejounte Murray (hand), Herbert Jones (shoulder), Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Jordan Hawkins (back) recently. Ingram and Hawkins are back in the lineup after brief absences, while McCollum, Murray and Jones have been ramping up at practices.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Out indefinitely
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The Pelicans announced Saturday that Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be out indefinitely.
Williamson already missed Friday's contest against Orlando due to his hamstring injury but is now set to remain sidelined for an extended period. While the 24-year-old forward managed to make 70 regular-season appearances in 2023-24, injuries are already plaguing his 2024-25 campaign. Until Williamson is able to return, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green should continue to receive increased playing time.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Won't play against Orlando
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Williamson (hamstring) is out for Friday's game versus the Magic.
Williamson has been downgraded from questionable to out, marking his fourth absence of the season. First, he was sidelined due to an illness, then right hamstring tightness and right thigh soreness. And now, left hamstring tightness. This is certainly a concerning trend for the oft-injured forward. In Williamson's absence, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green are both candidates to start against Orlando. Williamson's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Brooklyn.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Iffy for Friday
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Williamson is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Magic due to left hamstring tightness.
Williamson returned to action Wednesday after being sidelined for New Orleans' previous two contests but is now in danger of missing Friday's game. If Williamson is unable to suit up against Orlando, Javonte Green and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are candidates to receive increased playing time.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Big second half in loss
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Williamson chipped in 29 points (9-18 FG, 11-13 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 131-122 loss to Cleveland.
The 24-year-old forward missed the prior two games due to thigh and hamstring soreness, and it looked like Williamson may have returned too soon when he played only 10 minutes in the first half before heading to the locker room to get his thigh checked out. He was back on the court to begin the second half, though, and he nearly single-handedly kept the Pelicans in the game by pouring in 23 points after the break. Injuries remain the biggest concern with Williamson, who has suited up for only six of New Orleans' first nine contests, but he's on pace for career-best production in rebounds (8.0 per game), assists (5.3) and blocks (1.2). His 22.7 points a game should rise along with his career-low 45.8 percent shooting from the floor if he can stay in the lineup and get into a rhythm.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Back in action
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Williamson (thigh) will start the second half of Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.
Williamson left Wednesday's game with left thigh soreness and, after spending some time in the locker room, has returned to the contest. Williamson's return could mean fewer minutes for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Departs for locker room
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Williamson left Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers and went back to the locker room with an undisclosed injury, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Williamson committed an intentional foul to stop the game and went straight back to the locker room with an injury. Specifics on the injury aren't known, but he can be considered questionable, at best, to return. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green stand to benefit most from Williamson's absence.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Officially available Wednesday
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Williamson (thigh) has been cleared for Wednesday's game versus Cleveland, Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com reports.
Williamson is joined by Jordan Hawkins (back) and Jose Alvarado (ankle) in gaining clearance for Wednesday's outing. Williamson will return from a two-game absence due to thigh soreness. The Pelicans dropped both contests with double-digit losses to Atlanta and Portland.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Present at practice
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Williamson (thigh) was present at Wednesday's morning shootaround, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Williamson is still carrying a questionable tag for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers after missing two straight games. If he's sidelined for a third straight, guys like Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green could continue to see an uptick in minutes.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Deemed questionable for Wednesday
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Williamson (thigh) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Cavaliers, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Williamson is in danger of missing his third straight contest while dealing with right thigh soreness. If Williamson is unable to suit up against Cleveland, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Javonte Green should continue to receive increased playing time.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Ruled out Monday
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Williamson (hamstring/thigh) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Portland, Erin Summers of Bally Sports New Orleans reports.
Williamson will miss his second consecutive matchup of a back-to-back set due to right hamstring soreness, as well as right thigh soreness, according to Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. The superstar has averaged 21.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.2 blocks across 31.4 minutes per game in five regular-season outings. With both Williamson and Jordan Hawkins (back) joining a laundry list of players on the sideline, Javonte Green and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are both likely candidates to handle an increased role.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Listed as questionable
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Williamson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against Portland.
Williamson missed Sunday's game for the first half of a back-to-back set, but his status for Monday remains up in the air. If Williamson is unable to play, there will be a lot of minutes up for grabs for players like Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Jamal Cain and Brandon Boston.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Downgraded to out Sunday
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Williamson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks.
Williamson was a late addition to the injury report due to right hamstring tightness and will ultimately take a seat for the first half of a back-to-back set, joining Trey Murphy (hamstring), Herbert Jones (shoulder), Dejounte Murray (hand) and CJ McCollum (thigh) on the sidelines. Javonte Green, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Jamal Cain are all candidates for increased roles in Williamson's absence.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Dealing with hamstring tightness
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Williamson is questionable for Sunday's game against the Hawks due to right hamstring tightness.
Williamson is a late addition to the injury report, which isn't a good sign for his availability. With Trey Murphy (hamstring), Herbert Jones (shoulder), Dejounte Murray (hand) and CJ McCollum (thigh) all already ruled out, Williamson's absence would be another tough blow for the short-handed Pelicans.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Bounces back with double-double
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Williamson logged 34 points (14-20 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-8 FT), six rebounds, 10 assists and two steals across 37 minutes during Friday's 125-118 victory over the Pacers.
Williamson posted 12 points (5-20 FG) in 33 minutes during Wednesday's 104-89 loss to the Warriors, which was the second night of a back-to-back set, but he bounced back with a stellar performance against the Pacers on Friday. It was Williamson's second 30-point game and third double-double of the season -- the other two were with points and rebounds. Williamson recorded at least 10 assists in only four games last season.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Crashes offensive glass
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Williamson chipped in 12 points (5-20 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-7 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists and one block across 33 minutes during Wednesday's 104-89 loss to the Warriors.
Williams' season-high six offensive rebounds helped him record his second double-double of the season Wednesday. However, the 24-year-old forward struggled with his efficiency and recorded as many turnovers (four) as assists. While Williamson has earned a reputation as one of the NBA's most efficient scorers, he is shooting just 36.5 percent from the field across his first four appearances this season.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Records season-hgh 31 points
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Williamson logged 31 points (12-19 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-8 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one block across 30 minutes during Tuesday's 124-106 loss to the Warriors.
Williamson enjoyed his best performance of the season in the loss. Aside from Brandon Ingram, Williamson was the only player to log double-digit points for the Pelicans. That's not a good recipe for success, as the duo will need better evenings from CJ McCollum and Herbert Jones (shoulder) to ensure success. Trey Murphy's (hamstring) eventual return will help matters, but Williamson is expected to carry a heavy load in the meantime.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Struggles from floor Sunday
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Williamson contributed 14 points (3-12 FG, 8-10 FT), three rebounds, four assists and one block across 28 minutes during Sunday's 125-103 loss to Portland.
Williamson has struggled from the field over his last two games, going 7-for-27 from the field over that span. The Pelicans' offense will struggle at times for as long as Dejounte Murray is sidelined due to a fractured left hand. Williamson and the Pelicans will continue their three-game road trip against Golden State on Tuesday.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Teases triple-double Friday
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Williamson amassed 16 points (4-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 8-14 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and one steal over 29 minutes during Friday's 105-103 win over the Trail Blazers.
The 24-year-old big was on a slight minutes restriction after missing the Pelicans' opener due to an illness, but Williamson still made a big impact. He played a career-high 70 games in 2023-24, and staying healthy remains his top priority, but Williamson could blow past the career-high 7.2 boards he recorded in 2020-21 given the heavy usage at center he's likely to see this season.
