Pelicans Announce Zion Williamson Decision on Saturday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Nov 22, 2025 2:16 PM ET

Zion Williamson entered the 2025‑26 season aiming to stay healthy and maintain his role as the centerpiece of the New Orleans Pelicans’ offense. When on the floor, he has averaged 21.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, providing a physical presence in the paint and a go-to scorer for the struggling roster.

Despite his contributions, New Orleans has struggled mightily, sitting at 2‑14, in 15th place in the Western Conference, and enduring a nine-game losing streak. The team’s lack of continuity and persistent defensive issues have compounded the challenges of keeping Williamson productive and healthy. Even with his talent, the Pelicans have yet to find a formula that turns individual excellence into wins.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1).Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

After Friday’s loss against the Dallas Mavericks, it was unclear if the Pelicans would play Williamson in back-to-back nights as they prepare to face the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

That decision was made official when the Pelicans announced hours before tip-off that Williamson has been ruled out against the Hawks as he undergoes left hamstring injury management. The team issued a statement:

“Zion Williamson (left hamstring injury management) is OUT for tonight’s game vs. Atlanta.”

Zion Williamson (left hamstring injury management) is OUT for tonight’s game vs. Atlanta
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 22, 2025

Against the Mavericks, Williamson was one of four Pelicans players who recorded at least 20 points, finishing the night with 22 points.

His absence comes as Williamson continues to hope for a healthy season. He appeared in only 30 games in 2024‑25 before a lower-back bone contusion ended his season. His recurring availability issues have hindered the Pelicans’ ability to build chemistry and establish a consistent offensive identity. He has already missed eight games this season, and with the Pelicans last in the West, playing without their star forward magnifies the challenge against Atlanta.

In Williamson’s absence, the offensive responsibility shifts to players like Trey Murphy III and Derik Queen, who will be tasked with carrying the scoring load and keeping the Pelicans competitive.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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