Zion Williamson out for Pelicans vs. Magic with hamstring injury | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

The 24-year-old Williamson missed the first game of the 2024/25 season due to illness.

He also had to miss Sunday’s and Monday’s games due to hamstring problems, but played in Wednesday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This missed time meant a disappointing start to an important season for the outstanding striker. The 2023-24 season was his healthiest season as he reached a career-high 70 games played, although his 22.9 points per game was his lowest point total since his rookie season.

Still, a largely healthy Williamson helped New Orleans reach the play-in tournament. And then the injury fever broke out again.

The superstar suffered a left hamstring strain with just minutes left in the team’s 110-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in their first play-in match, capping an impressive performance that earned him 40 points.

He then missed the team’s next game, in which New Orleans saved its season by defeating the Sacramento Kings to secure the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, as well as the team’s entire four-game win over Oklahoma City Thunder in the opening round.

The Pelicans retooled the roster around him over the summer, adding Dejounte Murray to a core that also included Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum and Herb Jones. There’s no doubt the Pelicans have talent, but they’ll only go as far as Williamson can take them.

And that won’t be far off if he struggles to stay on the pitch again this season.