The New Orleans Pelicans' season of struggles doesn't appear to be turning the corner anytime soon.
Star forward Zion Williamson was diagnosed with a grade 1 left hamstring strain and will be sidelined for 7-10 days before being re-evaluated, the team announced on Tuesday.
The oft-injured former No. 1 overall pick appeared to be off to a healthy start, but now faces his first setback of the 2025-26 season. Williamson made just 30 appearances last year due to injuries, marking the third time through his first six seasons he's missed at least 50 games.
This season, however, the 25-year-old had suited up for five of New Orleans' first six games, averaging 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.0 steals in 31.4 minutes per night.
In the Pelicans' last game, a loss to the Thunder on Sunday, the former Rookie of the Year and two-time all-star racked up 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a steal on 7-of-14 shooting in 28 minutes of action.
Williamson's absence comes at an especially inauspicious time for New Orleans as the team remains one of just two teams still without a victory (0-6). To add insult to — literal — injury, their losing may not amount to anything as the team's first-round pick (currently projected to be top three) is owned by the Atlanta Hawks.
The winless Pelicans return to action on Tuesday for the first night of a back-to-back, hosting the Charlotte Hornets.
