The New Orleans Pelicans declared on Monday that Zion Williamson’s season is over due to a lower back bruise he suffered on March 19 during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
This marks the fourth season since being drafted that Williamson has been limited to 30 or fewer games, as injuries have consistently hampered the career of the former first overall draft pick.
On a recent episode of First Take, commentator Stephen A. Smith discussed Williamson’s latest season-ending injury, expressing strong criticism regarding his frequent absences and even hinted that the 24-year-old might be nearing “bust” status.
“I genuinely feel sorry for the Pelicans and the people of New Orleans,” Smith stated. “Zion Williamson has the talent of a superstar. He’s formidable when he is in action and healthy. However, his frequent unavailability is a major issue. As outstanding as his skills are, the term ‘bust’ inevitably comes up. It’s all about availability. No matter your talent level, if you aren’t able to play, it’s irrelevant. And he’s almost always sidelined.”
“The word ‘bust’ comes to mind.”
– Stephen A. Smith on Zion Williamson
( @FirstTake )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 1, 2025
Smith also mentioned the challenges the Pelicans might face in trading Williamson given his problematic health record, which could lessen his appeal to other teams.
Williamson participated in 30 games this season, showing his typical dominance when he was fit, with averages of 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Yet, he has managed to play in more than 60 games in only two of his six NBA seasons. Since being picked first in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williamson has appeared in just 214 games, playing in only 45.3% of the Pelicans’ matches during this period.
In Smith’s view, Williamson’s repeated absences have unfortunately led to the consideration of him as a “bust,” though he clarified that this was not a reflection of Williamson’s performance when he is healthy.
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