NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Pelicans announced Tuesday that injury-plagued forward Zion Williamson has a grade 2 right hip adductor strain and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Williamson, who missed eight consecutive games earlier this season with a strained hamstring, did not play as a precaution in the second game of a back-to-back on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, but he was not listed on the injury report after that game and was expected to play Tuesday.
Williamson has missed 12 of the Pelicans’ 22 games this season.
“I don’t have any more information as far as when (the injury) happened,” Pelicans coach James Borrego said before Tuesday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. “I learned of it this morning, as well. We had it imaged, and I think we all heard the results of that. Beyond that, I want more information. We’re taking it sort of hour by hour, day by day.”
In his 10 games this season, Williamson has averaged 22.1 points and 5.6 rebounds. Taken No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft, he has played in just 45% of the Pelicans’ 493 games.
“Nobody wants to be on the court more than Zion,” Borrego said. “This guy loves the game, loves this city. He wears this logo with great pride, as a badge. He wants to be out there battling with his teammates more than anybody. More than anything, he’s disappointed, but he’s here to support us, and we’re here to support him. This is a brotherhood, this is a family. As frustrating as it is for him, now’s the time to build our relationships even stronger."
The Pelicans said further medical updates will be provided “as appropriate” on Williamson.
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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots against Chicago Bulls guard Jevon Carter (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) tries to make a move against Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Williams Jr. (5) in the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
FRIBOURG, Switzerland (AP) — Canada beat Slovenia 3-1 to make it five wins from five games at the ice hockey world championship on Friday.
Emmitt Finnie led with a goal and an assist and Denton Mateychuk and Dylan Cozens also scored. Jet Greaves stopped 13 shots as Canada outshot Slovenia 32-14.
Mateychuk, playing in his first worlds, skated to the top of the left circle before shooting past Slovenia goaltender Zan Us at 11:07 in the opening period.
Cozens added the second from the slot with 6:46 remaining in the middle period for his third goal in Switzerland. Sidney Crosby bagged his sixth assist at the tournament.
Finnie made it 3-0 by deflecting in a shot by Morgan Rielly from the blue line in the final period.
Rozle Bohinc scored a consolation goal for Slovenia with 1:05 left.
Canada tops Group B in Fribourg with Slovakia trailing by three points. The teams meet on Sunday.
Canada has won four games in regulation and one in overtime.
In a Group A in Zurich, Germany downed Hungary 6-2 for its first victory at the worlds after four defeats. Leon Gawanke sparked the Germans with a hat trick.
Later Friday, Finland played Britain in Zurich and Sweden faced Italy in Fribourg.
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Canada's Sidney Crosby, left, vies for the puck against Slovenia's Miha Bericic, right, during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
Canada's Emmitt Finnie, left, clashes against Slovenia's goaltender Zan Us, right, during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
Canada's Dylan Cozens, second right, celebrates his goal with his teammates Canada's Canada's Macklin Celebrini, left, Sidney Crosby, left, and Canada's Denton Mateychuk, right, centre, after scoring during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
Slovenia's goaltender Zan Us, left, concedes his second goal past Slovenia's Blaz Gregorc, right, and Canada's Sidney Crosby, center, during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
Canada's Emmitt Finnie, right, clashes against Slovenia's goaltender Zan Us during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
