Zion Williamson Injury Update
Zion Williamson is out with a grade 2 right hip adductor strain and will miss extended time, with the Pelicans and multiple reports saying he will be re‑evaluated in about three weeks rather than given a fixed return date. Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) shared on X that New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson will miss extended time with a right adductor injury and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, according to sources.
That “extended time, re‑eval in three weeks” wording has become depressingly familiar around Zion, and it instantly shifted the Pelicans’ season narrative from “maybe they can still salvage something” to “okay, what does the next reset look like now?”
New Orleans announced the diagnosis after imaging earlier in the day, confirming that their star forward will be sidelined for most, if not all, of December and very possibly bleeding into early 2026, depending on how conservative the medical staff decides to be.
How Did Zion Williamson Get Injured?
Zion Williamson suffered the right adductor injury around the Pelicans’ November 29 loss to the Golden State Warriors, with the exact moment on the court still a bit fuzzy even to the team. He played in that game, sat out the next night against the Lakers as what was initially framed as precaution on a back‑to‑back, and only then did the pain and imaging reveal something more serious than simple tightness. New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) shared on X that Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a grade 2 right hip adductor strain, with medical imaging confirming the injury. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.
It fits the frustrating pattern fans know too well: he had just come back on November 19 after more than two weeks out with a hamstring issue, looked explosive again in five of the next seven games, and then the adductor flared up before anyone had really enjoyed a full month of healthy Zion basketball.
Around New Orleans, stories keep popping up of people buying tickets “specifically to finally see Zion live” and ending up watching Saddiq Bey and the role players carry the frontcourt load instead, which feels like the most Pelicans thing ever right now.
How Long Will Williamson Be Out?
Zion Williamson is expected to miss at least three weeks and be re‑evaluated after that, which realistically means he is out for most of December and could be sidelined longer if the adductor strain does not respond perfectly. Officially, the Pelicans are calling it an indefinite absence with a three‑week checkpoint, while league insiders and national outlets keep using phrases like “extended time” and hint that anything from three to six weeks would not be surprising for a grade 2 strain in that area.
In the meantime, New Orleans is already bracing for life without him: Saddiq Bey is expected to take on a bigger scoring and rebounding role, rookie Derik Queen keeps getting thrown into real minutes, and the front office has to stare down the uncomfortable math that Zion has already missed more than half of the Pelicans’ games over his career.
Disclaimer
This Zion Williamson injury update is based on recent public reports and official team announcements and may change as new information is released. It is intended for general informational and fan purposes only, and should not be taken as medical advice, betting guidance, or an official position of the New Orleans Pelicans or the NBA.
