Pelicans Rule Out Zion Williamson for Warriors
New Orleans sits Williamson for the first time this season as it faces Golden State on the second night of a back-to-back.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Basketball
The New Orleans Pelicans have ruled out Zion Williamson for their November 9, 2026 game against the Golden State Warriors, with rest listed as the reason. Williamson is missing his first game of the 2026-27 season after appearing in all 10 previous Pelicans games.
Why it matters
The absence comes after a 139-123 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that dropped New Orleans to 4-6, and it removes one of the team's top scorers during a slow start. Trey Murphy III is also out with bilateral patellar tendinopathy, leaving the Pelicans thinner in their next two games.
The NBA injury report lists Williamson as out with rest as the designated reason, following a game in which he scored 25 points on 9-for-9 shooting. Williamson averages 21.0 points this season, while Murphy, also out, averages 15.6.
The players
Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson is a forward for the New Orleans Pelicans and a former No. 1 overall draft pick known for his powerful inside scoring.
Trey Murphy III
Trey Murphy III is a Pelicans wing and one of the team's leading perimeter scorers.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are a Western Conference NBA franchise based in San Francisco Bay Area that has built its identity around Stephen Curry's shooting.
The details
Williamson was listed out on the NBA injury report with rest given as the reason, ahead of a Warriors game that will be played without him and Murphy at 10 p.m. ET. Yves Missi (left knee contusion and bone bruise) and Trendon Watford (right ankle sprain) are also unavailable.
Timeline
Sunday, November 8, 2026: Pelicans lose 139-123 to the Clippers.
November 9, 2026: Pelicans face the Warriors without Williamson and Murphy at 10 p.m. ET.
November 11, 2026: Next scheduled Pelicans game, against the Brooklyn Nets.
Season Trajectory
Williamson's absence arrives as New Orleans tries to climb out of a 4-6 start, and the rest designation reflects the load-management approach that has become common across the league. The decision places added weight on Pelicans depth during a stretch when the schedule offers little time to recover.
Fantasy managers relying on Williamson will need to find a replacement for Monday's game, since his 21.0-point average is a key part of many rosters. Murphy's absence also opens minutes for other Pelicans wings in the short term.
The takeaway
A single rest day for a star in a 4-6 start can shift both rotation minutes and fantasy value, so readers tracking the Pelicans should watch the injury report closely before each game.
What happens next
Williamson's status for the November 11 game against the Brooklyn Nets is the next checkpoint for the team.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see our Basketball coverage of New Orleans Pelicans news.
