Zion Williamson Suspended by New Orleans Pelicans for 1 Game

‘There is no excuse for being late to team activities,’ Williamson said in a statement.

Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans watches from the bench during game two of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., on April 24, 2024. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Zion Williamson has missed 31 games this season due to either injury or rest, and he missed his 32nd on Friday versus the Philadelphia 76ers. However, this absence had nothing to do with Williamson being banged up; rather, he sat out due to a team-issued suspension.

New Orleans Pelicans EVP of Basketball Operations David Griffin announced the suspension roughly two hours before tipoff of Friday’s game.