Is Zion Williamson playing tonight against Golden State Warriors? Latest on New Orleans Pelicans star's availability (Oct. 29)

Zion Williamson has played in two of the first three games of the season for the New Orleans Pelicans. He missed the Pelicans' season opener due to an undisclosed illness but suited up in their past two contests. So, is the two-time NBA All-Star playing tonight against the Golden State Warriors?

According to the Pelicans' latest injury report, Williamson will play on Tuesday at the Chase Center against the Warriors. He has fully recovered from the illness that kept him from playing their first game of the season on Oct. 23.

The same can't be said for four players on the Pelicans' injury list, though. Dejounte Murray and Trey Murphy III are listed as out due to hand fracture and right hamstring strain, respectively, while Karlo Matkovic and Antonio Reeves are unavailable, as they are assigned to the NBA G League.

---

What happened to Zion Williamson?

What happened to Zion Williamson? (Photo: IMAGN)

Zion Williamson missed the first game of the season for the New Orleans Pelicans against the Chicago Bulls. He wasn't injured but had an illness that kept him from being 100% to start the campaign. The Pelicans were being cautious, so they gave him an extra day's rest to fully recover.

"He is not here at the moment," coach Willie Green said before the season opener, according to Pelicans Film Room on X. "He's not feeling well. He has been sick the last couple days. ... It's just some type of virus."

Williamson is coming off the healthiest season of his career, playing in 70 games and averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. He has been prone to injuries since getting drafted first overall in 2019, as well as problems with his weight.

However, the 24-year-old star trimmed down significantly this offseason, and the illness was just an unfortunate circumstance. He's still shaking it off based on his performance in the first two games. Williamson is shooting poorly and doesn't look like himself just yet, though.

---

Zion Williamson's stats vs. the Golden State Warriors

Zion Williamson's stats vs. the Golden State Warriors (Photo: IMAGN)

Zion Williamson has a winning 6-2 record against the Golden State Warriors, averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals. He's shooting 52.3% from the field, dominating the Warriors' lack of size in the paint.

Williamson's best game versus Golden State was a 32-point performance on May 3, 2021, in a 123-108 loss for the New Orleans Pelicans. His worst game was on Nov. 21, 2022, a nine-point outing in a 128-103 win for New Orleans.

The two-time All-Star is one of the best young players in the NBA, but his only problem has been staying healthy. He has managed his weight in the past season and lost more entering the 2024-25 campaign.