Zion Williamson is giving New Orleans Pelicans fans something they have not had in a while: a healthy, in-form start to the season — with an unexpected twist. The former first overall pick is not just scoring; he is leading the NBA in steals, and his latest performance helped the Pelicans end one of the league’s best unbeaten runs. Here is the latest news on Zion Williamson.
A Surprise Leader in Steals
Early in the 2026-27 season, Williamson has emerged as the NBA’s steals leader, averaging 3.2 steals per game. That is a striking jump for a player whose career average has been roughly one steal per contest. Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley has credited positioning rather than gambling on passing lanes, and the team effort has followed: New Orleans leads the league with 13.7 steals per game.
Williamson himself has been cautious about the small sample size. “It’s cool, but it’s still very early in the season,” he said. “Ask me again around the 20th game, to see where I’m at!” His immediate goal, he added, is simply to stay among the league’s top five steal leaders as the season goes on.
25 Points as Pelicans Stun the Unbeaten Grizzlies
The headline performance came on Monday, November 3, when Williamson scored 25 points with 11 rebounds and four assists in a thrilling 135-134 overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The victory ended Memphis’s perfect 6-0 start to the season and lifted New Orleans to three wins in a row.
Williamson shot 9-of-15 from the field and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line in 35 minutes, and his inside presence proved decisive in a game that swung back and forth. Teammate Saddiq Bey praised his effort after an earlier 25-point performance against Atlanta, and Karlo Matkovic matched Williamson’s 25 points against Memphis to share the scoring load.
One memorable moment from the Memphis game did not go Williamson’s way: Grizzlies big man Isaiah Stewart rejected a dunk attempt in the second quarter and celebrated with a finger wag in the style of Dikembe Mutombo. The play briefly swung momentum to Memphis, but the Pelicans still found a way to win in overtime.
Healthier, Slimmer, and Playing Every Game
Perhaps the most encouraging part of Williamson’s start is his availability. He has played every game so far this season, averaging more than 21 points per game, and he arrived at training camp in what team executive Joe Dumars described as peak physical shape, having dropped his weight from 284 to 277 pounds.
That matters because injuries have defined much of Williamson’s career. Since being selected first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, he has missed 278 games, including the entire 2021-22 season. Last season he played 62 games — the second-most of his career — and staying on the court this year is the foundation everything else is built on.
What the Season Could Mean for His Future
Williamson is now in his eighth NBA season with New Orleans, and the conversation around him has shifted. Analysts note that he may no longer be viewed as a franchise cornerstone, but a strong, healthy first half of the season could still raise his value considerably — whether as a building block for the Pelicans or as a trade target for a contender.
For now, the focus is simpler: keep the steals coming, keep winning, and keep playing. The Pelicans next host the Utah Jazz, and Williamson will look to extend the team’s winning run and his own surprising defensive streak.
Zion Williamson at a Glance
- Latest game: 25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists in a 135-134 overtime win over Memphis (November 3, 2026).
- Defensive stat: Averaging 3.2 steals per game, leading the NBA early in the season.
- Team form: Pelicans on a three-game winning run after beating the previously unbeaten Grizzlies.
- Availability: Has played every game so far after arriving at camp in peak shape.
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