Pelicans’ McCollum, Williamson Shut Down For Rest Of Season

The Pelicans have shut down guard CJ McCollum and big man Zion Williamson for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, the team’s PR department tweets.

McCollum, who was diagnosed with a right foot bone contusion after sustaining the injury on March 23 at Detroit, will continue his rehabilitation program which includes rest and treatment.

Williamson, who suffered a low back bone contusion during a fall on March 19 at Minnesota, will continue his recovery plan which includes rest and treatment.

The injury-ravaged Pelicans are among the lottery-bound teams jockeying for the best odds to get the top pick. Shutting down two of their top players could move them closer to that goal. They currently have the league’s fourth-worst record at 21-54 — the bottom three teams each have a 14% shot at the No. 1 overall pick.

New Orleans has seven games remaining after losing 10 of its last 14 contests.

McCollum, 33, finishes the season with averages of 21.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 56 games. He has one season left on the two-year, $64MM extension he signed in 2022.

Williamson, 24, completes his 2024/25 campaign with averages of 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists in just 30 games. He missed two months of action due to a hamstring strain. The former top pick has three years remaining on his five-year max extension.

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