59 articles

NOP • F • #1
5 days ago
Zion popped up on the injury report Tuesday afternoon after not initially being included on it. He had previously been dealing with a hamstring injury, but now it’s the right adductor that will keep him sidelined until at least Dec. 23. Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen should continue to be the main beneficiaries with Zion unavailable for at least a few weeks. Queen should be locked in as a starter for the rest of the season, while Bey should continue to start with Zion out. Bey has averaged 19.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.6 triples over the last five games and is available in 66 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Source: Shams Charania

NOP • F • #1
5 days ago
Williamson was off the injury report on Monday evening for his hamstring, but the adductor issue is a new one, suggesting he may sit this one out. Missi is also a late addition to the injury report, and if both he and Zion are forced to sit this one out, Derik Queen and Saddiq Bey should see even higher usage. Micah Peavey and Kevon Looney could soak up some additional minutes off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • F • #1
7 days ago
Williamson will sit out the second leg of New Orleans’ back-to-back set, which means Saddiq Bey should have the green light on offense. Bey has been a strong scorer since joining the starting five, and with Williamson and Trey Murphy (elbow) sidelined, he could be in line for a big game.
Source: NBA.com

NOP • F • #1
8 days ago
Williamson has scored at least 22 points in three of his last four games. What stands out from his performance on Saturday is the foul shooting. Williamson made 90 percent of his attempts against the Warriors, and he’s shot a respectable 79.5 percent over the past two weeks. While Zion doesn’t have to turn into an elite foul shooter, becoming respectable would do wonders for his fantasy value. The Pelicans play three games in Week 7, starting with the Timberwolves on Tuesday.

NOP • F • #1
13 days ago
Three Pelicans starters scored at least 20 points on Monday, with Williamson leading the way. He had a big night at the foul line, making 13 of his 16 attempts, and Zion is shooting 69.3 percent for the season. While that percentage isn’t high enough to prevent Williamson managers from punting that category, it’s nearly four points higher than his 2024-25 mark (65.6 percent). After a slow start to the season, he’s closing in on top-100 value in eight-cat formats, which is good news for those who have Williamson rostered.

NOP • F • #1
13 days ago
Williamson is back after sitting out Saturday’s loss to the Hawks, so he returns to the starting lineup. Micah Peavy heads to the bench, where he offers limited fantasy value at best. With Herb Jones still out due to injury, Saddiq Bey will continue to start.
Source: NBA Lineups

NOP • F • #1
15 days ago
Zion played 29 minutes and had 22 points against the Mavericks on Friday. The 25-year-old power forward will sit out the second game of a back-to-back against the Hawks on Saturday with left hamstring injury management. Saddiq Bey should see additional minutes Saturday with Williamson out.

NOP • F • #1
16 days ago
Williamson looked much sharper in his second game back following an eight-game absence earlier this month with a hamstring injury as he shot a robust 78 percent from the floor and got to the free throw line for 11 attempts. The 25-year-old possesses the upside to be one of the most impactful players in the fantasy landscape but persistent injury issues continue to prevent him from reaching his lofty ceiling. He was limited to just 29 minutes in this contest and fantasy managers should expect the Pelicans to keep a governor on his workload for the immediate future.

NOP • F • #1
17 days ago
Not only did Zion go through a full practice, but he “came in early to get extra work in.” Borrego “said the team still hasn’t determined if Zion will be cleared to play in back-to-backs,” and the Pelicans will also take on the Hawks on Saturday, so the team may be determining which game they’d like him to suit up for. The Mavericks game feels more winnable and, thus, like the more likely game for Zion.
Source: Will Guillory

NOP • F • #1
17 days ago
Not only did Zion go through a full practice, but he “came in early to get extra work in.” Borrego “said the team still hasn’t determined if Zion will be cleared to play in back-to-backs,” so there is c chance that the Pelicans will hold him out against the Hawks on Saturday.
Source: Will Guillory

NOP • F • #1
17 days ago
Not only did Zion go through a full practice, but he “came in early to get extra work in.” Borrego “said the team still hasn’t determined if Zion will be cleared to play in back-to-backs,” so there is a chance that the Pelicans will hold him out against the Hawks on Saturday.
Source: Will Guillory

NOP • F • #1
18 days ago
Williamson is back after missing eight games with a strained hamstring. While he should be back in the starting lineup, fantasy managers should not expect to see him play starters’ minutes in his first game back. Saddiq Bey, who is also available, should remain relevant in deep leagues for the time being.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • F • #1
19 days ago
Williamson has missed the Pelicans’ last eight games, most recently sitting out Monday’s loss to the Thunder after being a game-time decision. With Karlo Matković out and Saddiq Bey also questionable, the Pelicans may have to call on rookie Micah Peavy to play extended minutes if Williamson can’t play against the Nuggets. Peavy would not be a must-stream player if this happened.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • F • #1
20 days ago
Williamson has been downgraded from questionable to out, and the Pelicans will also be without Saddiq Bey, who has been the replacement in the starting lineup. Karlo Matković may be the next man up, and he’s worth streaming in deep leagues if allowed to start.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • F • #1
20 days ago
Williamson received a questionable tag for Sunday’s matchup with Golden State, but he ultimately sat that one out. New Orleans may choose to get him back in the lineup for the second half of New Orleans’ back-to-back set, but even if he plays, he may face a minutes restriction. Saddiq Bey remains a hold given Williamson’s extensive injury history, but Bey’s fantasy value will take an obvious hit one Zion is back.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • F • #1
21 days ago
Initially questionable for Sunday’s game, Williamson will not be available. While he was cleared for contact last week, it would be unsurprising if the Pelicans exercised caution with Zion due to his injury history. Saddiq Bey will remain in the starting lineup until Williamson is cleared to play.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • F • #1
22 days ago
Cleared for contact on Wednesday, Williamson is questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Warriors. If he’s able to play, fantasy managers should expect a minutes restriction of some kind. Saddiq Bey would likely return to the bench, eliminating what little streaming value he had while Zion was out.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • F • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson’s sore left hamstring has been diagnosed as a Grade 1 strain, and the Pelicans will re-evaluate him in 7-10 days. Given the timeline, he’ll miss at least five games, starting with Tuesday’s matchup with Charlotte. For the most recent game that Williamson missed, an October 27 loss to the Celtics, Jordan Poole served as the fifth starter. Taking on that role would raise his fantasy ceiling, and Jeremiah Fears should have even more opportunities to facilitate offense.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • F • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson, on the Pelicans’ injury report due to a sore left hamstring, played 28 minutes in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Thunder. If he’s unable to play, rookie Jeremiah Fears should have even more opportunities to serve as the primary playmaker. Also, Saddiq Bey would figure more prominently in the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • F • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson had a balanced performance on the offensive end despite a blowout loss limiting him to just 28 minutes of action. While on the floor, he shot efficiently and led the Pelicans in rebounds and assists. Poor free-throw shooting and four turnovers ultimately hurt his fantasy production, but he still finished as one of New Orleans’ most impactful players on the day. His production will remain important moving forward as the Pelicans look to collect their first win of the season when facing the Hornets on Tuesday.

NOP • F • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson did not record any defensive stats on Friday, but the rebounding and offensive production were good. The two issues for fantasy managers have been free-throw percentage and turnovers, but Zion made 11 of his 13 free throws against the Clippers. He was responsible for three turnovers, equaling his season average. For managers not too concerned about free-throw percentage, turnovers or three-pointers, Zion is providing top-25 value when punting those categories.

NOP • F • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson is back after missing Monday’s loss to the Celtics with a foot injury, and he’ll bump Jordan Poole to the bench. The other change of note is Jordan, who replaces Yves Missi in the starting lineup. While Jordan still isn’t at the point where he needs to be rostered in most fantasy leagues, remaining in the starting lineup could change that.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • F • #1
about 1 month ago
Williamson sat out Monday’s loss to the Celtics, but it appears his foot injury isn’t serious. If he’s unable to take the court on Wednesday, Williamson’s next chance to play will come in Friday’s NBA Cup matchup with the Clippers. Saddiq Bey should stay heavily involved until he returns.
Source: Will Guillory

NOP • F • #1
about 1 month ago
Zion was productive during the Pelicans’ first two games of the season, but he will be sidelined against Boston. Saddiq Bey, who started in the Pelicans’ last game with Yves Missi sidelined, will likely remain a starter in place of Williamson.
Source: Erin Summers

NOP • F • #1
about 1 month ago
After looking good in the Pelicans’ first two games, Williamson has landed on the injury report with a bone contusion in his left foot. While the severity of the injury is unknown, Zion’s dealing with another lower-body injury is concerning. He most recently played 37 minutes in a loss to the Spurs on Friday. There isn’t a great fantasy pickup if Williamson can’t play, but his absence would mean more scoring opportunities for Trey Murphy and Jordan Poole.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • F • #1
about 1 month ago
Though there hasn’t been much of an answer for Zion through two games, it hasn’t resulted in any wins for New Orleans. Still, it’s good to see him healthy and available. He’s always dominant when he’s on the floor, so it’s no surprise that he’s been fantastic early on this year, even if his field goal percentage is lower than it has typically been. He also has eight steals through two games. He has averaged at least one steal in three straight seasons, but if he can increase that average, this can be the best fantasy finish of his career.

NOP • F • #1
about 2 months ago
Williamson was excellent in Wednesday’s season opener, even if his performance did not result in a Pelicans victory. All that was missing from his stat line were blocks and three-pointers, and fantasy managers don’t expect anything from Zion in the latter category. With Jordan Poole not being a traditional point guard, the ball will be in Williamson’s hands a lot as a facilitator. He led the Pelicans in assists in Memphis, and that may become the norm until Dejounte Murray (Achilles) returns later this season.

NOP • F • #1
about 2 months ago
Williamson had another strong performance on Thursday, posting preseason-highs in points and assists in just 22 minutes of game action. He finished well at the rim, and when he wasn’t doing that, his impact as a facilitator was felt. Williamson played under 30.0 minutes per game last season for the first time since his rookie campaign. If he can see an increase in minutes while remaining healthy, the former first-overall pick should be in for a productive season.

NOP • F • #1
2 months ago
Zion provided a solid performance in Friday’s preseason opener before turning in a strong, well-rounded showing on Saturday. Though he only logged 15 minutes, Williamson made noticeable contributions on both ends of the court. So long as he can stay healthy, he should be able to rack up valuable stats for fantasy managers in a number of categories in 2025-26.

NOP • F • #1
2 months ago
With Dejounte Murray (Achilles) still sidelined, Williamson will have additional opportunities to serve as a primary playmaker within the Pelicans’ offense. He looked sharp in his 16 minutes on the court on Friday, leading the team in assists while committing just two turnovers. Of course, talent has never been the concern regarding Williamson’s fantasy value; availability has. He only appeared in 30 games last season and has surpassed 60 appearances twice in his first six seasons. The availability concerns may push Zion down some draft boards, despite appearing slimmer than he has in years past.