Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is out indefinitely with a hamstring strain

Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be out indefinitelythe New Orleans Pelicans announced on Saturday.

Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 and a two-time All-Star, is averaging 22.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season. He had appeared in six of the Pelicans' 10 games so far, with New Orleans currently 3-7 and tied for 13th place in the Western Conference with Portland.

The Pelicans hoped that a revitalized team, punctuated by an offseason trade for point guard Dejounte Murray, would propel them back to the playoffs for the third time in five years.

Williamson's health appeared to be the key to those hopes. The 24-year-old played in 70 games last season for the first time in his then five-year career, but suffered a leg injury in the final minutes of New Orleans' play-in tournament loss to the Lakers.

Williamson's latest setback reflects the Pelicans' generally unfortunate start to the season. Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (adductor), Herb Jones (shoulder), Trey Murphy (hamstring) and Jordan Hawkins (back) have been sidelined and/or are expected to miss an extended period of time due to various injuries.