Overview
- The team confirmed a grade 2 right hip adductor strain for Williamson, and ESPN reported he will be re-evaluated in roughly three weeks with no firm return date.
- The Pelicans are 3–19 at the bottom of the West and previously sent control of their 2026 first-round pick to Atlanta, limiting the benefit of a lost season.
- Head coach James Borrego said imaging confirmed the injury Tuesday morning and stressed organizational support as Williamson begins rehab.
- Availability remains a major issue: the former No. 1 pick has appeared in about 45% of New Orleans’ games since 2019 and has played 10 this season.
- Contract protections tie future guarantees to weight checks and games-played thresholds, and recent reporting indicates his current trade value is limited with no meaningful talks underway.