Zion Williamson Sidelined Again as Pelicans' Struggles Deepen
The New Orleans Pelicans just can’t catch a break - and neither can Zion Williamson.
The star forward is expected to miss an extended stretch due to an adductor injury, the latest setback in what’s becoming an all-too-familiar pattern for both Zion and the franchise. This comes after he had only recently returned from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for just over two weeks. He managed to suit up for five of the team’s last seven games before this new issue cropped up.
So far, Williamson has appeared in only 10 games this season. And while he’s been productive when on the floor - averaging 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game on an efficient 51.0% shooting from the field - availability continues to be the biggest question mark.
This injury couldn’t come at a worse time for the Pelicans, who are sitting at the bottom of the NBA standings with a league-worst 3-18 record. For a team that came into the season hoping to finally turn the corner, the early returns have been rough - and Zion’s absence only makes things tougher.
The 25-year-old is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million extension he signed back in 2022. He’s set to make $39.4 million this season, with that number climbing to $42.2 million next year and $44.9 million in 2027-28 before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2028.
That’s a significant investment in a player who, while undeniably talented, has struggled to stay on the court. Since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2019, Williamson has played in just 224 games and has yet to make a single playoff appearance.
And while Zion’s injury history is part of the story, it’s not the whole story.
The Pelicans recently made a major coaching change, parting ways with Willie Green after a disappointing run. Green finished his tenure with a 150-190 regular season record and just two playoff wins to show for it (2-8 overall in the postseason). According to league sources, there were growing concerns inside the organization about Green’s ability to manage the locker room - particularly when it came to holding Williamson accountable.
Some players reportedly felt that Green’s voice had grown stale, including forward Trey Murphy III, who had played his entire NBA career under Green. Guard Jordan Poole, meanwhile, was said to be unhappy with his role after being pulled from the starting lineup in late October.
But the most notable criticism centered around how Green handled Zion - or didn’t. Multiple people within the team felt that the former coach didn’t do enough to push the star forward to meet expectations, both on and off the court.
Now, with a new coaching direction and their franchise cornerstone back on the injury list, the Pelicans are at a crossroads. The talent is there on paper. But between injuries, internal friction, and a brutal start to the season, New Orleans is once again searching for answers.
Zion’s numbers still flash superstar potential - 24.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game over his career - but potential only gets you so far. For the Pelicans to move forward, they need more than flashes. They need sustained health, leadership, and accountability - from the top of the roster down.
And right now, they’re still waiting.