Zion Williamson is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a hamstring strain

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has suffered another major setback. The Pelicans announced Saturday that the 24-year-old forward has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Williamson missed Friday night's loss to the Orlando Magic because of a left hamstring strain and underwent medical imaging Saturday morning. He is assessed weekly.

After making a splash in his first two seasons, Williamson did not play in the 2021–2022 season after suffering a fracture in his right foot during the offseason. He was sidelined again in January 2023 due to a season-ending hamstring injury and eventually returned to the pitch at the start of last season.

In April, he suffered another hamstring injury during the Pelicans' play-in game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Williamson's health and hyper-specific talents made it difficult to assemble a team out of Williamson. Since Williamson was selected No. 1 overall by New Orleans in 2019, the Pelicans have posted winning records in two of his five NBA seasons and reached the playoffs twice before ultimately losing in the first round.

New Orleans hasn't gotten off to a good start this year, going 3-7 to start the season.