New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson is ruled out for the season opener against the Chicago Bulls due to an illness.

The New Orleans Pelicans will not have their leading scorer from last season when they tip off against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. Zion Williamson will not play in the Pelicans’ 2024-25 regular-season opener. Williamson is out with what the team has described as an illness.

With tip-off closing in, the Pelicans had to make a final decision on Williamson's status, and it's one fans won't like. New Orleans ended up ruling Zion out for their season-opener against the Bulls due to his illness, meaning that the Pels are going to be immediately shorthanded as they begin their new campaign.