Celtics Could Face Pelicans Without Zion Williamson in Surprise Injury Update

Mar 30, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and guard Derrick White (9) and center Kristaps Porzingis (8) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Boston Celtics could encounter a mismanaged New Orleans Pelicans roster without its best player on Monday night, its second bout in a back-to-back set.

The Pelicans, even with said best player, will be hard-pressed to even make the play-in tournament.

More news:Celtics' Anfernee Simons Knows Exactly What He Needs to Improve This Year

Two-time Pelicans All-Star power forward Zion Williamson has seen his status downgraded to questionable with a left foot bone contusion.

#Pelicans Injury Report Update for tonight:

Karlo Matkovic (low back spasms) - Available
Yves Missi (right ankle sprain) - Available
Zion Williamson (Left Foot Bone Contusion) - Questionable https://t.co/YlSOK53a3w

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 27, 2025

Williamson's health — and his personal life — has been the recurrent narrative of his pro career. New Orleans selected the 6-foot-6 dunk machine with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke, and while he has made two All-Star teams, he has missed a whopping 55 percent of his possible games.

He has only been available for 30 or fewer games in four of his six pro seasons. But when he has played, the 25-year-old has produced. Across 214 healthy regular season bouts, Williamson boasts averages of 24.7 points on .589/.327/.689 shooting splits, 6.6 boards, 4.3 dimes, 1.0 swipes and 0.6 blocks per.

Other Absent Pelicans

Second-year New Orleans centers Karlo Matkovic and Yves Missi have both been given the green light to suit up. Matkovic is dealing with low back spasms, while Missi has a right ankle sprain.

The Pelicans selected Matkovic, a 6-foot-10 Croatian big man, with the No. 52 overall pick, as a draft-and-stash selection. He remained with his native Cedevita Olimpija through 2024, before ultimately taking the plunge and suiting up for New Orleans in 2024-25. Although he's a standard roster player, he was often sent to the Pelicans' G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, to get more significant run.

More news: Multiple Celtics Free Agent Signings Disrespected in New Position Rankings

Missi served as the Pelicans' starter during his debut season last year, earning All-Rookie Second Team honors after he was selected with the No. 21 pick in the first round of the playoffs.

In 73 healthy games (67 starts), Missi averaged 9.1 points on 54.7 percent shooting from the field and 62.3 percent free throw shooting, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.5 steals per.

A possible Zion Williamson absence would work wonders for the Celtics' confidence — if it could yield a win on the court. Boston has started off its season 0-3, even botching a winnable clash with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday after cooking up a 17-point advantage in the first quarter.

For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.