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The New Orleans Pelicans announced on Monday that both Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season due to injuries. Williamson, dealing with a bone contusion in his lower back sustained on March 19 in a game against Minnesota, and McCollum, who suffered a right foot contusion on March 23 during a loss to Detroit, will both focus on rest and treatment for their recoveries.
This marks another injury-plagued season for Williamson, who has been sidelined multiple times throughout his career. The former No. 1 overall pick finishes the season with just 30 games played, continuing a troubling trend of missed time. Over six seasons, Williamson has only surpassed 30 games played twice, with his best being 70 games in the 2023-24 season. This year, he averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game when healthy. Despite his on-court effectiveness, his injury issues have severely limited his availability.
McCollum, who has also struggled with injuries, played in 56 games this season, averaging 21.1 points and 4.1 assists. The 34-year-old guard’s injury is another setback for the Pelicans, who are already eliminated from playoff contention. McCollum is in the final year of his contract and will likely be looking to recover fully for next season.
The Pelicans, with a 21-54 record, currently sit near the bottom of the league standings, vying for the best possible draft position. Injuries have taken a toll on the team this season, with key players like Trey Murphy III (torn labrum), Dejounte Murray (Achilles), and Brandon Ingram (sprained ankle) also missing significant time. The team now faces the remainder of the season with several key players unavailable, and hopes to land a high draft pick in the upcoming lottery.
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