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Pelicans Announce Tough Injury Diagnosis For Zion Williamson

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 5:11 PM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans will continue to seek their first win of the 2025-26 season without Zion Williamson.

New Orleans announced Tuesday that Williamson was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. The 25-year-old star will be re-evaluated in the next seven to 10 days, meaning he could miss more time.

Williamson missed the team's 122-90 loss to the Boston Celtics on Oct. 27 with hamstring soreness. He returned to play on Friday and Sunday before suffering the setback that will require a longer absence.

More on Williamson

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 13: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans sits on the bench during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Smoothie King Center on April 13, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images

This development is the latest in a long line of injuries for Williamson, who's played 219 games since entering the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.

Williamson missed the entire 2021-22 campaign with a foot injury and returned to play just 29 games the following season. He got back on track to play a career-high 70 games in 2023-24, but a hamstring strain sidelined him for two months last season.

The Pelicans will hope this hamstring injury isn't as severe. Williamson opened the season by averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.0 steals in five gams, but the team has floundered with or without him in the early stages.

New Orleans is last in net rating (-18.3) to start the season, averaging the NBA's second-fewest points per game (107.7) while allowing the third-most (125.8). Willie Green's squad has already lost three games by more than 30 points, and one offered a bleak glimpse of life without Williamson.

The Pelicans shot 33.3 percent from the floor when Williamson sat against the Celtics. They also got dominated in the paint, getting out-rebounded 54-35 and blocked seven times at home.

Williamson has often played like a superstar when healthy, but the Pelicans have yet to win a playoff series in his career. They could struggle to stay afloat in his absence, starting with Tuesday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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