Pelicans shut down Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum for season

Field Level Media|published: Mon 31st March, 20:17 2025

NBA: Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Pelicans

Jan 15, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, guard CJ McCollum, guard Dejounte Murray, forward Zion Williamson, center Yves Missi, and forward Herbert Jones watch from the bench during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Pelicans are shutting down forward Zion Williamson and guard CJ McCollum for the rest of the season due to injuries.

Williamson suffered a low back bone contusion on March 19, while McCollum suffered right foot bone contusion on March 23.

Williamson leads the Pelicans with 24.6 points per game to along with 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.2 steals, but he played in just 30 games this season. McCollum averaged 21.1 points per game, while shooting 37.3 percent from 3.

The Pelicans (21-54) own the fourth-worst record in the NBA. The team has only seven games left on their schedule, and no real incentive to win.

The shutdown is the continuation of a disappointing, injury-riddled campaign for the Pelicans. Trey Murphy III (shoulder) and Dejounte Murray (Achilles) have already been sidelined with season-ending injuries.

--Field Level Media