3:48 pm: The Pelicans put out a press release (via Twitter) confirming the news. According to the team, Williamson underwent imaging on Tuesday which revealed a Grade 2 right hip adductor strain. There’s no official timetable for his return.
3:12 pm: Pelicans forward Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a right adductor injury and will miss at least three weeks, which is the next time he’ll be reexamined, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
A two-time All-Star, Williamson has been plagued by injuries throughout his time in the NBA after being selected No. 1 overall out of Duke in the 2019 draft. This season has been no exception, as Williamson missed eight games last month with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain prior to his latest ailment.
According to Charania (Twitter link), Williamson has a strained adductor, which a muscle in the hip, and will be out an extended period of time — far longer than the two-plus weeks he missed with the hamstring strain.
It’s unclear when Williamson’s adductor injury occurred, but he last suited up on Saturday, when New Orleans lost at Golden State. Through 10 games in 2025/26, the 25-year-old has averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals in 30.9 minutes per contest.
Williamson has been limited to 30 games or fewer in four of his first full six years in the NBA, including missing the entire 2021/22 campaign. He has dealt with a variety of different injuries throughout his career.
The Pelicans have once again been hit hard by injuries this fall, with their five highest-paid players — and seven total — all sidelined on Sunday. That figure includes Williamson, who was held out of the second night of a back-to-back — he makes the most money on the team on his maximum-salary contract.
New Orleans should qualify for a hardship exception in the wake of the injuries, depending on how long other players will be out (Dejounte Murray presumably isn’t close to returning after rupturing his Achilles at the end of January). Still, that’s of little consolation to a club that does not control its 2026 first-round pick and currently holds the worst record in the NBA at 3-18.
Bust
I have already moved on from Zion from a fan perspective but I still feel sad on the amount of potential that was missed out on
these jokes write themselves sometimes.
LoL And I was upset for awhile the Knicks couldn’t draft him. However still disappointed they gave up on RJ that’s another situation.
I felt bad RJ got traded too but it all worked out. The Knicks now have tons of talent. I would make them the favorites to win the East.
Raz-How many times do AD and Zion have to prove that they aren’t worth it anymore? How many times does the management have to get hit over the head with a blunt instrument before they go into concussion protocol?
Mike, prior to the last couple of seasons AD wasn’t bad. He was still a really good interior defender capable of being the best PF in the league not named Giannis. It’s last 3-4 years he’s been injured that really has epitomized his legacy. And to answer your question as long as our team is ran by idiots, they will always have a spot in the league.
Zion on the other hand, everyone saw this coming since his days at Puke. Weight was always a factor and it hindered his availability and now nobody will touch him.
Dumars looking like a genius for refusing to talk to teams interested in Zion this past off-season.
He didn’t want to sell low, but forgot to consider the fact that Zion’s stock can still go much lower.
Trade him!
Dumars was a terrible hire. They should have hired Sam “the goat” Hinkie.
I have been saying it since draft night. Zion is not about winning or taking care of his body. You can’t invest max money on someone like that.
Dumars would be smart to move him as soon as he can. I would think Charlotte is the right place for him. If he is ever going to take being an athlete seriously. It will be there.
Move on Joe ….. get what you can and invest in ….
Queen, Fears, Murphy, Missi and the youth …..
Normally I have some sympathy for guys who are constantly injured and get poked fun at by the fans because some guys are just unlucky. And maybe Zion is too.
But we also know he’s never taken his job seriously and probably doesn’t do the necessary work behind the scenes to improve his chances of staying healthy. Getting in slightly better shape doesn’t cut it.
Pretty funny that this guy was once thought of as a future face of the league. He is antithetical to everything it means to be a professional athlete and the type of person kids should emulate.
#weightwatchers
Have you seen this man walk, Pels had to teach Zion how to walk in late 2019
As retired former college athlete, I know from personal experience (and I’m not too good a physiologist) it’s easier to avoid injuries to my lower body when I’m in better shape. I keep myself in good shape, and a 10 lb swing in either direction changes my movement. I’m 5’9” and 165lbs, what does that have to be like for Zion. It’s not that hard to get in shape and get a on a program, he just doesn’t want it
Why should he when they keep giving him 30 mill checks. He’s not a baller. He just plays one on tv.
224 total games played out off a possible 574 .. pretty pathetic.. trade him now ? ? for what ? ? a couple of other teams headaches and a boat load of seconds ? ? seven years in and still doesn’t seem to care .. you would think he’d at least pick LeBron or brady’s brain about longevity
It’s a good thing I sold all my Zion stocks.
Pelicans cannot win with the dark cloud and distraction of Zion and his complete disinterest and lack of accountability. The “team” would instantly improve if they simply traded him for a box of donuts. Pelicans management needs to show some guts to make this obviously decision. Zion has been scamming the team for years – that will never change.
Let’s say Dumars traded Zion when he got the job. Let’s also say Zion stays healthy at his new destination as mentioned in the MVP conversation so Dumars looks like an idiot. Joe had to give Zion a year (or less) to prove he’s able to stay healthy and lead the team. At least now, if Dumars trades him away and he stays healthy (I doubt he will) he can say he tried.
Trade him to the Suns their training staff will get him right.