The New Orleans Pelicans' nightmare start to the 2025/2026 season just got worse as the team announced that star forward Zion Williamson has been diagnosed with a "grade 1 left hamstring strain." He will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days.

According to Hashtag Basketball, the average left hamstring injury, dating back to 2016, keeps players out 11 days, which does match the timeline given by the team.

Williamson already missed a game this season with a left foot bone contusion, suffered on his dunk over Victor Wembanyama in the opening minutes of the second game of the season. Now he deals with this hamstring issue.

The 25-year-old did seem like he was finally trying to play through some injuries that did make him look less than 100%, but this one is not worth the risk. 

This is about as bad of a look as the franchise could have right now. Fans have been frustrated from the jump with the decision making from the front office. The team is 0-6 and played deeply uninspired basketball. Now, they are without their franchise centerpiece and biggest selling point.

The 7-to-10 day timeline doesn't sound too bad, but this is a crucial point of the season. If he comes back after 11 days, they will still have faced this lineup of teams:

Nov. 4: vs. Charlotte Hornets
Nov. 5: @ Dallas Mavericks
Nov. 8: @ San Antonio Spurs
Nov. 10: @ Phoenix Suns
Nov. 12: vs. Portland Trailblazers
Nov. 14: vs. Los Angeles Lakers

It could have worked out worse for the Pelicans, but still some bad matchups to watch out for, as New Orleans already had a weak frontcourt. Then there is a very real future where that 7-10 day timeline comes and goes without Williamson returning, given his injury history.

A brutal development after he entered the season with renewed hopes of finally staying healthy.