Zion Williamson injury timeline: When will he return?

Williamson has already dealt with injuries during the 2025-26 season. On Nov. 19, he had just returned from a two-week absence while nursing a hamstring issue. He’d played in five of the Pelicans’ last seven games since his return, but Pels’ fans knew something was wrong in the air when he was sidelined for the team’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Williamson has performed well when healthy, averaging over 22 points in ten appearances this season. However, the former No. 1 overall pick has seen his career marred by constant injuries. He’s only played in more than 60 games twice over the course of his seven-year career.

Here’s everything we know about Williamson’s latest injury.

How did Williamson get injured?

Williamson suffered his adductor injury during the Pelicans’ Nov. 29 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

It is unclear when exactly he suffered the injury, but it was not expected to be serious at first. Williamson was forced to miss Sunday’s bout against the Los Angeles Lakers but was considered questionable to play Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves until news of the severity of his injury was revealed.

How long will Williamson be out?

Williamson will miss at least the next three weeks before being re-evaluated by team officials.

The Pelicans have nine games scheduled in that window. The team has announced that they will provide updates on Williamson’s recovery as ‘appropriate.’

Zion Williamson injury history

Here is a list of injuries that Zion Williamson has suffered during his NBA career that have forced him to miss extended time.

• Oct. 14, 2019 to Jan. 22, 2020: knee injury
• Aug. 10, 2020 to Dec. 14, 2020: knee injury
• May 8, 2021 to Oct. 4, 2022: foot injury
• Jan. 4, 2023 to Oct. 10, 2023: hamstring injury
• Apr. 17, 2024 to Oct. 6, 2024: hamstring injury
• Nov. 8, 2024 to Jan. 7, 2025: hamstring injury
• Mar. 21, 2025 to June 30, 2025: lower back injury
• Nov. 3, 2025 to Nov. 19, 2025: hamstring injury
• Nov. 29, 2025 to indefinite: adductor injury