Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole Ruled Out as Pelicans’ Injury Crisis Deepens Ahead of Hawks Game

Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole Ruled Out as Pelicans’ Injury Crisis Deepens Ahead of Hawks Game

The New Orleans Pelicans didn’t just lose to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night — they handed over the keys to their future. With the game tied and 10 seconds left, head coach James Borrego pulled Zion Williamson, the 23-year-old All-Star forward, off the court. Not for rest. Not for strategy. But because, for the first time in his career, the team no longer looked to him in its most critical moments. The Pelicans lost 118-116. Their record? 2-14. And now, with both Williamson and Jordan Poole officially ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks, the reality sets in: this isn’t just an injury slump. It’s a full-blown organizational pivot.

The Quiet End of an Era

Williamson played 30 minutes against the Mavericks — but took just nine shots. Eleven of his 22 points came from the free-throw line. His usage rate? A career-low 19.6%, per Cleaning the Glass. Even more telling: in the final five minutes, when the Pelicans needed a basket to tie, Williamson took only two field goals. Meanwhile, rookie Derik Queen took nine shots in that same span. He handled the ball. He drove. He pulled up from mid-range. And when the final possession arrived, Borrego called for Jeremiah Fears to inbound the ball — not Williamson.

It wasn’t a mistake. It wasn’t fatigue. It was a signal. As Sports Illustrated put it in their November 22 analysis: “The Pelicans are no longer Zion Williamson’s team.” That’s not just a headline. It’s a new identity.

Injury Report: A Cascade of Absences

On Saturday morning, the official New Orleans Pelicans injury report confirmed what fans feared: Williamson (left hamstring injury management), Poole (left quadriceps strain), Herbert Jones (back), and Karlo Matkovic (right calf strain) are all out. ESPN’s Brad Rowland and Shams Charania corroborated the details, with the team’s own website listing each player’s status with clinical precision.

Williamson’s hamstring issue isn’t new — he’s been managed since October. But this time, the team didn’t just rest him. They sidelined him in the game when it mattered most. Poole, acquired in a blockbuster trade last summer, has been a shell of his former self, averaging just 11.3 points per game after scoring 20+ in 12 games last season. His quad strain? A symptom of a deeper malaise: the team’s offense has no rhythm, no identity, no go-to star.

And then there’s Dejounte Murray. The All-Star guard, sidelined since last March with an Achilles tear, is tentatively expected to return after New Year’s Day, according to Pelicans Film Room. But will he come back to a team that’s already moved on?

The Rise of the New Guard

The Rise of the New Guard

With Williamson and Poole out, and Jones and Matkovic also sidelined, the Pelicans are forced to lean on their youngest players — and they’re responding. Queen, a second-round pick, has averaged 14.8 points and 5.2 assists over the last five games. Fears, undrafted and unsigned until October, is now starting at point guard. Their chemistry isn’t polished, but it’s electric. In the Mavericks game, Fears stole a pass, sprinted the length of the court, and finished with a reverse layup. Queen hit a step-back three with 1:12 left — the kind of shot Williamson rarely attempts anymore.

“We’re not rebuilding,” said one assistant coach, speaking off the record. “We’re redefining.”

The team’s front office, led by owner Gayle Benson, has quietly shifted focus from short-term wins to long-term development. Draft picks from 2024 and 2025 are now the currency of trust. The Pelicans’ 2-15 record isn’t just bad — it’s strategic.

Why This Matters Beyond New Orleans

This isn’t just about a struggling team. It’s about what happens when a franchise realizes its superstar is no longer the solution — but part of the problem. Williamson’s physical gifts are otherworldly. But his injury history? Nine games missed last season. Eight more this year. He’s played in only 31 of 82 possible games over the last two seasons. The Pelicans spent $207 million on a contract extension in 2022. Now, they’re betting on youth, speed, and spacing — not post-ups and dunks.

It’s a rare pivot in the NBA. Teams rarely abandon their franchise player mid-crisis. But the Pelicans aren’t just managing injuries. They’re managing expectations. And they’re doing it in real time.

What’s Next?

What’s Next?

Saturday’s game against the Hawks will be a litmus test. Without Williamson, Poole, Jones, or Matkovic, the Pelicans will field a starting lineup featuring Fears, Queen, Trey Murphy III, Brandon Boston Jr., and Naji Marshall. It’s the youngest group in the league by average age. The Hawks, meanwhile, are 9-8 and hungry for a win. If the Pelicans lose by 20, it’ll be another chapter in their collapse. If they hang around? It’ll be proof the rebuild has already begun.

Meanwhile, the team’s headquarters at 1601 Girod Street, New Orleans, Louisiana remains quiet. No press conferences. No panic. Just a front office that’s betting everything on the next generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Zion Williamson benched in the final seconds against the Mavericks?

Coach James Borrego substituted Williamson for rookie Jeremiah Fears on the final possession because the team’s offensive strategy had shifted to prioritize ball movement and younger playmakers. Williamson, despite scoring 22 points, had a low usage rate (19.6%) and took only two shots in the final five minutes — signaling a deliberate move away from relying on him in clutch moments, even while he was healthy enough to play.

How severe are Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole’s injuries?

Williamson is listed with "left hamstring injury management," indicating a recurring issue being carefully monitored rather than a fresh tear. Poole’s left quadriceps strain is considered moderate, with no timeline for return. Both are officially out for Saturday’s game, and their absence reflects a broader pattern of injury-related roster instability that has plagued the Pelicans since early October.

Who are the key young players stepping up for the Pelicans?

Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears have emerged as the new offensive engines. Queen, a second-round pick, averaged 14.8 points and 5.2 assists over the last five games, including nine shots in the final five minutes against Dallas. Fears, an undrafted rookie, now starts at point guard and has shown elite defensive instincts and transition speed, becoming a fan favorite despite limited experience.

Is this the start of a full rebuild for the Pelicans?

Yes — but quietly. The Pelicans aren’t trading veterans or tanking openly. Instead, they’re giving minutes to rookies and second-year players while managing Williamson’s health. With a 2-15 record and a draft lottery likely, the organization is prioritizing long-term development over short-term wins, signaling a structural shift under owner Gayle Benson’s leadership.

When is Dejounte Murray expected to return?

According to Pelicans Film Room, Murray — sidelined since March 2023 with an Achilles tear — could return after New Year’s Day. His return would test whether the team still views him as a cornerstone or if the emerging youth have permanently altered the roster’s direction. His fit with Queen and Fears remains uncertain.

How does this affect the Pelicans’ playoff chances this season?

Slim to none. With a 2-15 record and four key players out, the Pelicans trail the Memphis Grizzlies by 10.5 games in the Southwest Division. Even with Murray’s return, they’d need a 20-5 run over the next 25 games — statistically improbable. The focus has shifted entirely to next year’s draft and player development, not postseason contention.