Zion Williamson Did This For The First Time in His NBA Career

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New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson

For the first time in his career, Zion Williamson has started 26 consecutive games. Yes, you read that right.

Williamson, now in his seventh NBA season, made his 26th straight start in a 113–109 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. And he made the most of the milestone, too. The former Duke star and No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft scored a team-high 26 points for the Pelicans in the victory.

A Closer Look at Zion Williamson’s Career

GettyWASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 09: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to a play against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 9, 2026 in Washington, DC.

This career-high start streak might not come as a total shock. Williamson’s career has been plagued by injuries, even before he entered the league.

As a freshman at Duke, Williamson suffered a Grade 1 knee sprain when his shoe tore during a game against rival North Carolina, sidelining him for several weeks. Shortly after being drafted by the Pelicans, he tore the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason, delaying his NBA debut by three months.

He started all 24 games he appeared in as a rookie in 2019–20. His appearances increased to 61 in his second season.

Before the 2021–22 season, Williamson sustained a Jones fracture in his right foot that required surgery and ultimately sidelined him for the entire year. In his third season (fourth year in the league), he appeared in only 29 games — the second fewest in his career, behind only his rookie season.

In January 2023, he suffered a hamstring strain that caused him to miss the remainder of the season, including the playoffs. During the 2024 play-in tournament, he exited with another injury. In 2024–25, he dealt with a left hamstring strain and later a lower-back bone contusion, again ending his season early.

This season, Williamson has appeared in 42 games, starting 35. However, he’s averaging a career-low 21.8 points per game. Despite the dip in scoring, seeing Williamson on the court more consistently is an encouraging sign that he may yet live up to the hype he carried into the league.

In the midst of a dreadful season, the Pelicans can use any sign of promise for the future.

The New Orleans Pelicans This Season and Beyond

GettyNew Orleans Pelicans head coach James Borrego gestures. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The 17–42 Pelicans sit in 14th place in the Western Conference standings, 28 games out of first place and 11 games behind the 10th-seeded LA Clippers for the final playoff spot. This comes a season after the Pelicans finished with just 21 wins.

For all intents and purposes, the focus is on next season and beyond.

The Pelicans are expected to be near the top of a loaded NBA Draft class, where they will have a chance to bolster a thin roster. They also have salary-cap flexibility to potentially add free agents and build around their core.

With Williamson showing improved durability, perhaps New Orleans basketball faithful can expect to see more from the former top pick in the future.

Alex Shoemaker Alex Shoemaker is a seasoned sports journalist and digital content strategist with more than a decade of experience in newsrooms and digital media. He has covered a wide range of sports, including March Madness, the Olympic Trials, and local high school athletics. He began his journalism career covering high school and community sports, developing a reputation for sharp storytelling and precise design that earned awards for both writing and pagination. More about Alex Shoemaker