New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has formally denied the allegations in a civil lawsuit accusing him of rape and abuse, describing his relationship with the woman who filed the complaint as a consensual, casual arrangement.
According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, Williamson issued a general denial of the allegations brought by the woman, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe. He maintains that he never sexually assaulted or harmed her and characterizes their relationship as “friends with benefits.”
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles in May 2025, alleges that Williamson raped the woman on two occasions in Beverly Hills in 2020 and subjected her to other forms of abuse during their relationship. Williamson has denied the accusations since they became public. The claims remain disputed, and no finding of liability has been established in the civil case.
In his latest legal response, Williamson disputes the woman’s description of their relationship. He says they never lived together and that their interactions were consensual. He also maintains that their relationship had ended by May 2023.
Beyond denying the allegations themselves, Williamson is challenging the lawsuit on legal grounds. He argues that the applicable statutes of limitations bar several of the claims and disputes whether certain California laws can apply to alleged incidents involving other states. He is seeking dismissal of the case.
For Williamson, the latest filing marks another step in a legal dispute that has continued alongside his NBA career. The Pelicans forward has made his position clear: he rejects the accusations and wants the lawsuit dismissed.
The case remains unresolved, with the opposing accounts now subject to the legal process.
