Zion Williamson denies the rape allegations and maintains that he had a consensual relationship
In his legal response, the Pelicans player denies all the allegations, maintains that the relationship ended in May 2023, and argues that the reported offenses are time-barred and that California laws do not apply to the alleged acts.
Zion Williamson filed his response to a lawsuit by a woman who accuses him of rape and of assaults over several years. In court documents reviewed, the New Orleans Pelicans forward issued a general denial of all the allegations in the complaint, filed under the name Jane Doe, and maintains that she did not suffer any harm because of him.
Williamson describes the relationship as a “friends with benefits” friendship and maintains that the interactions between them were cordial and consensual. According to his response, there were never any assaults or sexual violence. The player asks that the lawsuit be dismissed in its entirety.
An "informal" relationship, according to his defense
According to the document, Williamson and the plaintiff never lived together. His defense describes the sexual relationship between them as friendly and casual and claims that she repeatedly tried to initiate encounters while he was often busy or out of town.
The filing places the end of the relationship in May 2023. From that date onward, Williamson argues that the claims of assault, sexual assault, domestic violence, and harassment are time-barred under the statutes of limitations that, according to his defense, apply.
Regarding the domestic violence charge, his defense considers it "nonsensical". The reasoning is that they did not share a residence nor see each other with the frequency necessary for the relationship to be treated as domestic.
When the lawsuit became known, Williamson's lawyer said the allegations were “categorically false and irresponsible” and that they were unequivocally denied. He also stated that Williamson and the plaintiff had not been in a romantic relationship, but rather a “consensual and casual” relationship that had ended years earlier.
In addition, the defense maintained that the plaintiff began demanding millions of dollars from him after the relationship ended and claimed that Williamson had reported to the authorities what he considered attempts at extortion .
In the response presented now, a more detailed version from Williamson does appear, although again within a court document and not in an interview or personal statement.
The defense questions the application of California law
The response adds a territorial argument. Williamson maintains that California laws on sexual assault, domestic violence, and harassment do not apply to the alleged interactions, which according to the filing took place in North Carolina, Texas, and Louisiana . In addition, he denies that this type of conduct occurred in those states, in California, or anywhere else.
The lawsuit was filed in May 2025. The woman then accused Williamson of raping her, assaulting her, and terrorizing her during the years their relationship lasted. Williamson denied the accusations from the outset, and his defense also maintained that the plaintiff was trying to obtain money through extortion threats.
The filing constitutes Williamson's response to the lawsuit and not a court ruling. The plaintiff's allegations and the player's denials are the parties' positions, which must be evaluated during the proceedings . Williamson asks that the case be dismissed, a request that the court must now decide.
