Pelicans Announce Season-Ending Shutdown for Williamson, McCollum

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans announced Monday that forwards Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season due to injuries.

The announcement came shortly after the Pelicans secured a 98-94 victory against the Orlando Magic, a game in which both players were sidelined. Williamson is dealing with a low back bone contusion sustained on March 19 during a fall in a game against Minnesota, while McCollum has been diagnosed with a right foot bone contusion after suffering the injury on March 23 during a matchup against Detroit.

Both players will follow rehabilitation plans that include rest and treatment. Williamson, the 2019 No. 1 draft pick, has played in just 30 games this season, finishing with an average of 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. Despite his impressive statistics, this latest injury marks the fourth time in six seasons he has played 30 games or fewer.

“We’re obviously disappointed that both CJ and Zion won’t be able to finish the season with us,” said Pelicans General Manager Trajan Langdon. “Their contributions to the team have been significant, and we look forward to their recovery.”

McCollum, who contributed an average of 21.1 points per game while shooting 37.3% from three-point range, was in the midst of a strong season before his injury. His absence, combined with Williamson’s, leaves the Pelicans without three players who each averaged at least 20 points per game this season.

Currently, New Orleans has a record of 21-54, placing them fourth worst in the NBA. In a tumultuous season filled with injuries, the Pelicans have utilized 41 different starting lineups due to various injuries affecting key players, including Williamson, McCollum, and Trey Murphy III, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury.

The Pelicans have just seven games left on their schedule with no playoff implications, leaving little incentive to push their injured stars back into action. Injuries have plagued the team throughout the season, resulting in a disappointing campaign.

“It’s been a tough year, and while we wanted to compete until the very end, we need to prioritize the health of our players,” Langdon added. “We will use this time to regroup and plan for the next season.”