Zion out at least 7-10 days with strained hamstring

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain, the team announced Tuesday.

The 25-year-old will miss at least 7-10 days with the injury.

It's the first setback of the season for Williamson, who has struggled to stay healthy since New Orleans drafted him first overall in 2019. The Duke product has played more than 30 games in a single campaign just twice in seven NBA seasons, and missed two months early in 2024-25 with a hamstring strain in the same leg. During his 27-game absence last year, the Pelicans went 4-23.

New Orleans likely cannot afford another lengthy stretch without the two-time All-Star after an 0-6 start to this season. The team sent its 2026 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks with no protections at this year's draft in order to trade up and select center Derik Queen 13th overall.