Injuries are piling up for the Pelicans early in the 2024-25 season.

Already, New Orleans has had Dejounte Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (right adductor strain), Herb Jones (right shoulder strain), and Jordan Hawkins (low back strain) go down with ailments. Now, arguably the team’s best player will miss time, as well.

Forward Zion Williamson is set to sit out for an extended period after starting the new season averaging 22.7 points and eight rebounds per game through six appearances. It’s a massive blow for New Orleans, which will soon have to plunge deep into its depth chart with a growing injury report.

How long will Williamson be sidelined? Here’s what to know about the forward’s injury, including his return timeline, the Pelicans’ upcoming schedule, and Williamson’s career numbers.

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What is Zion Williamson’s injury?

The Pelicans announced Saturday that Williamson is dealing with a left hamstring strain and would be out indefinitely.

Williamson had been dealing with various health issues to begin the season, as he missed the team’s opener due to an illness, then three more games due to hamstring tightness.

After he was considered one of the most electrifying prospects in NBA history coming out of Duke in 2019, health has been a major concern for Williamson over his five seasons in the league. He played in just 29 games across his rookie season, which was partially played in the bubble due to the pandemic, but he did manage to play in 61 games in 2020-21.

Injuries forced Williamson into another shortened campaign in 2021-22, as he appeared in just 29 games. Fortunately for the Pelicans, the forward played in a career-high 71 games last season. However, in New Orleans’ Play-In Tournament matchup against the Lakers, Williamson left the game with a hamstring issue, the same injury that’s bothering him in 2024-25.

Despite some reports that he was in the best shape of his career, Williamson will miss more time for New Orleans, which is 3-7 so far.

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How long is Zion Williamson out?

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Nov. 11 that the Pelicans are “bracing” for Williamson to be out for around 4-6 weeks.

“The Pelicans are bracing for him to be out about 4-6 weeks. His return will be based on rehab and how that treatment goes… They said indefinitely. They are not sure exactly how long this rehab will take him”

— @ShamsCharania on Zion Williamson’s injury timetable pic.twitter.com/IfnXWcCalN

— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) November 11, 2024

Hamstring issues are often tricky to get past, so the Pelicans will likely be cautious in bringing their star forward back to the court. For the time being, Williamson will be healing from his ailments on the sidelines.

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Pelicans schedule 2024-25

Here’s a look at the Pelicans’ upcoming schedule as they look to get back on track in Williamson’s absence.

Zion Williamson career stats

• 24.6 points per game
• 6.6 rebounds per game
• 4.2 assists per game
• 1.0 steals per game
• 0.6 blocks per game
• 2.8 turnovers per game
• 58.7 percent field goal shooting
• 34.1 percent 3-point shooting
• 69.4 percent free throw shooting