The 2025-26 season has started roughly for the Pelicans. New Orleans is 3-21, far and away the worst record in the Western Conference.
Additionally, the team is 1-15 in their last 16 games. It has been a struggle for the Pelicans to win consistently. Last week, starting PF Zion Williamson suffered a right adductor injury. Insiders reported he will be re-evaluated in about three weeks. Who will step up for New Orleans while Williamson is set to miss time?
Can the Pelicans survive while Zion Williamson misses time with an injury?
Zion Williamson To Be Re-Evaluated In 3 Weeks With Grade 2 Right Adductor Strain https://t.co/Qi2LeOAUxZ
— RealGM (@RealGM) December 7, 2025
In the 2019 NBA draft, the Pelicans used the 1st overall pick to select Zion Williamson out of Duke. At the time, he was one of the most highly touted prospects from the collegiate ranks. Williamson was an All-American at Duke, and New Orleans was hopeful for his future. Unfortunately, significant injuries have been a major factor in the 25-year-old’s career. Williamson has missed roughly 56% of the team’s regular-season games since he was drafted. Not ideal for the franchise.
To begin the 2025-26 season, Williamson has started 10 of the team’s 24 games. He’s missed 14 games this season, including five in a row, since suffering the adductor injury. The PF is reportedly out for at least three weeks. Williamson missed two weeks earlier in the year due to a hamstring strain. New Orleans cannot catch a break with Williamson in 2025-26.
“Freaky Z gotta slow down on the extra curricular. The groin injury, if you know you know. … Here we go again.”@boogiecousins says “it’s obvious” the Pelicans need to move on from Zion Williamson after his latest injury 😅🙄@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/vxbPEBJdoG
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 3, 2025
Zion Williamson has missed the last five consecutive games for the Pelicans. Interim head coach James Borrego has started Bryce McGowens in four straight games for the Pelicans. The fourth-year pro has seen extended playing time since moving into the starting lineup. McGowens is on a two-way contract for the Pelicans this season. He’s averaging a career-high 7.8 points per game.
With the worst record in the NBA, the Pelicans will eagerly wait for Zion Williamson’s return. Members of the organization believe he could return by the end of December. However, there are reports that Zion will not return until after the New Year. Williamson’s $39.4 million in 2025-26 is the most of any player on the roster.
It’s worth noting that his $126.5 million contract extension was fully guarenteed. On top of all this, New Orleans doesn’t control their first-round pick in 2026. Not ideal for a team of their caliber. The Pelicans finished 21-61 last season. Will they beat that record in 2025-26?
