New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is out indefinitely with a left hamstring strain, the team announced Saturday.
Williamson is the latest player out on a roster full of injuries, contributing to the Pelicans’ 3-7 start. Williamson sat out earlier this month in games against Atlanta and Portland because of hamstring tightness and right thigh soreness, but played Wednesday against Cleveland.
In six games played and started this season, the fifth-year power forward averaged 22.7 points, 5.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds.
The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that forward Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain. Medical imaging taken this morning confirmed the injury. Williamson will be out indefinitely and further updates will be appropriately provided. pic.twitter.com/DPG4dRf5MY
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 9, 2024
What it means for New Orleans
The latest news on Williamson is yet another blow for a Pelicans team that’s been devastated by injuries from the beginning of training camp.
New Orleans’ disappointing start is partially due to Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Jordan Hawkins and Williamson all missing time due to various injuries.
Now with Williamson sidelined indefinitely, the Pelicans will have to climb their way out of this hole without their most important player in a highly competitive Western Conference. Getting back into the playoff race would’ve been tough enough with Williamson. With him out of the mix for the foreseeable future, the Pelicans have an uphill climb ahead of them to save their season. — Will Guillory, Pelicans beat writer
What it means for Williamson
Then there’s the concern that comes with Williamson adding yet another setback to the long list of injuries he has suffered throughout his career.
And whenever Williamson suffers an injury, the conversation always has to shift to how long will it take him to come back and what will he look like once he does. The team putting an indefinite timetable on his return certainly doesn’t ease concerns over Williamson potentially being out for an extended period of time.
Either way, this is more gut-wrenching news for a Pelicans season that seemed to be doomed from the very start. — Guillory
Required reading
(Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
