Zion Williamson’s 2025-26 season ended after the New Orleans Pelicans’ 132-126 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. New Orleans, which finished with a 26-56 record, had been eliminated from playoff contention early this month.
Williamson responded when asked about missing the playoffs for the seventh straight season:
“I want to experience the playoffs. … It’s frustrating getting up here every year and not being in the playoffs. And I take my responsibility in that.”
When the Pelicans made Zion Williamson the No. 1 pick of the 2019 NBA draft, the former Duke star was supposed to carry the team to relevance. Instead, in seven seasons with the Pelicans, the team has only made the playoffs twice (2022 and 2024). Williamson was a helpless cheerleader on both occasions due to injuries.
Early this season, Williamson struggled with injuries before eventually finishing with 62 games, the second most in his career. The Pelicans reportedly wanted to trade him before the February deadline, but a lack of offers forced the team to keep him.
The Pelicans are seemingly no longer as dependent on the burly forward as they once were. For the first time in his NBA career, Williamson played seven games coming off the bench. He averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game, numbers that don’t arguably stack well against opposing teams’ franchise cornerstones.
If Zion Williamson can’t stay healthy and the Pelicans can’t construct a better roster, the two-time All-Star will be in danger of missing the playoffs again next season.
Zion Williamson Plans Offseason, Looks at “Different Approach” To Help Team Make Playoffs
Zion Williamson said that missing the playoffs will be a “huge motivating factor” for him to address in the offseason. Williamson added about how he would focus his preparations for next season:
“It’s gonna be a different summer of how I’m gonna approach it. … I’m looking to take a different approach. … It’s time to start taking a different approach, gaining knowledge and working on different things.”
The Pelicans need a healthy and fully engaged Zion Williamson to carry the team to the playoffs, particularly in the stacked Western Conference. Only time will tell if he delivers on his vow for the offseason and once the 2026-27 campaign starts.
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