The New Orleans Pelicans finally ended their seven-game skid, but instead of the spotlight staying on the win, Zion Williamson somehow stole the noise again. You’d figure that’d be enough for NBA fans to chill a bit, but nah, the internet had jokes locked and loaded.
They took down the Charlotte Hornets, 116-112, on Tuesday night — their first win of the season.
Zion didn’t even play. He’s dealing with a strained left hamstring and will be out for at least a week, and that was all people needed to start clowning.
One fan wrote, “Zion was the problem confirmed.”
Zion was the problem confirmed
— AllSportHype (@AllSportHype) November 5, 2025
Another joked, “Without Zion. Stephen A Smith is gonna rant.”
A third added, “I knew Zion was holding them back. Trade that bum to the Kings as punishment.”
Meanwhile, the Pelicans looked sharp without him. Trey Murphy led the charge with 21 points in 37 minutes, along with three boards and three assists. Everyone else chipped in just enough to get them over the hump.
Now the question is whether they can keep that same vibe when they face Luka Dončić and the Mavericks on Wednesday night.
“It’s time to pack on the weight”: NBA fans react to Zion Williamson’s injury report
Before tip-off, ESPN insider Shams Charania broke the news that Williamson would be out seven to ten days with a left hamstring strain. And, as always, the conversation quickly turned to Zion’s physique — a never-ending topic among NBA fans.
Some believe the weight he dropped this past offseason may have made him more vulnerable to injuries, while others just think he can’t catch a break.
One fan wrote, “As I’ve been saying, Skinny Zion is not working out. It’s time to pack on the weight.”
As I’ve been saying, Skinny Zion is not working out. It’s time to pack on the weight.
— Kurt Nimphius’ Hair (@Hcp1Hcp) November 4, 2025
Another added, “Dude need to get a full season in one year!”
A third posted, “Fat Zion, skinny Zion… still injured Zion.”
It’s a familiar loop for the former top pick — dominant when healthy, frustrating when sidelined. The Pelicans finally got their first win, but until Zion stays on the floor consistently, the jokes — and questions — aren’t going anywhere.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
