New Orleans Pelicans’ star Zion Williamson is an electrifying talent when he stays healthy. Unfortunately, NBA fans have been unable to consistently see him throw down vicious dunks or bully his way to the rim due to injuries. The Pelicans received another troubling update regarding Williamson’s latest injury ahead of their Dec. 2 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Zion Williamson Set to Miss Extended Time
Williamson only played 10 of New Orleans’ first 21 games of the season. He missed eight games from Nov. 4 to Nov. 17 due to a hamstring strain. The star forward played five contests before his latest injury will cost him even more time on the sideline.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Williamson is set to miss at least the next three weeks due to a right adductor injury.
New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson will miss extended time with a right adductor injury, sources tell ESPN. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks. pic.twitter.com/NZtuinR4Qq
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 2, 2025
New Orleans originally listed him as questionable against Minnesota with “right adductor soreness,” but the team later announced the injury as a “grade 2 right hip adductor strain.”
The three-week timeline sets Williamson’s re-evaluation date for Dec. 23. New Orleans likely exercises caution with its star due to his lengthy history with lower-body injuries. The first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft has suffered multiple hamstring and adductor strains in recent seasons, including today.
It appears Williamson suffered the injury on a Pelicans’ off-day. He played 31 minutes against the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 29, putting up a strong 25-point, four-assist, seven-rebound performance. Williamson then missed New Orleans’ next game on Nov. 30 due to rest in the second half of a back-to-back. Charania reported the injury two days later.
Williamson averages 22.1 points, 5.6 boards, 4.0 assists, and 1.6 steals on the season. The Pelicans rely on his ability to get downhill and force defenses to collapse. This often leaves shooters like Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey, and Jordan Hawkins open for quality looks from beyond the arc.
Williamson is the Latest Player to Join the Pelicans’ Long Injury Report
New Orleans battled through numerous injuries last season, and it must do so once again. Jordan Poole (quadriceps), Herb Jones (calf), Dejounte Murray (Achilles), and Williamson – four likely starters when healthy – remain sidelined. This provides opportunities for other players to step up and earn more playing time.
Murphy likely receives a big usage bump in Williamson’s absence, but he is questionable heading into the Timberwolves game due to an elbow injury. Bey entered the starting lineup when Jones suffered a calf injury last week. He is playing some of the best basketball of his career, averaging 19.8 points and 10.4 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per contest in the last five games.
Rookie Derik Queen likely receives more minutes and responsibility as a playmaker and downhill driver. He makes smart reads, finding open shooters and cutters on the move, while handling the ball at 6’9″.
The Pelicans own the worst record in the NBA at 3-18, and they could fall even further below .500 without Williamson for at least the next three weeks.
