The New Orleans Pelicans just got absolutely shelled again, falling 145-111 to the Brooklyn Nets, a team that was a dismal 2-8 heading into the night. But that’s not even the wildest part: this blowout comes just two days after they took a 51-point beating from the Golden State Warriors. We are talking a combined 85-point shellacking in just two games, and Zion Williamson is not holding back.
The Pelicans’ Embarrassing Skid is Getting Worse
What in the world is happening in New Orleans? They’re now sitting at a concerning 4-8 on the season, and their recent form is flat-out alarming. They kicked off the year with a brutal four-game losing streak, then pulled it back to .500 with a four-game winning streak. We thought maybe they found something, right? Nope. They’ve now dropped four straight again, and this time, the losses are getting downright embarrassing. Think about it: that initial four-game skid saw them lose by a combined 23 points. Their last two games alone? A staggering 85-point difference. That’s why Zion had only one word to describe the effort: “Unacceptable. I don’t even have a lot of words. Unacceptable.”
And he is not wrong. The defensive effort has completely disappeared, with the Pelicans letting opponents drop at least 138 points on them in three consecutive games. That is not just bad, that is a full-blown crisis on the defensive end.
Zion’s Challenge: Look in the Mirror, or the Season is Over
It’s never a good sign when your franchise superstar is questioning the team’s commitment and effort just 12 games into the season. This is when the buy-in should be automatic! Your goals are right there, staring you in the face. But Zion’s words hit hard, calling for everyone to look inward. “I said nobody likes to lose like this, but if we don’t like to lose like this, we have to start with ourselves first,” Williamson stated. “Look in the mirror and say, did I do what I needed to do for my team? Not individually. Did I do what I needed to do for my team? And then we go from there.”
That’s a direct challenge, and frankly, it needs to be said. The Pelicans’ earlier four-game winning streak, which felt like ages ago, was “schedule-aided” with two games against the struggling Sacramento Kings and Utah Jazz. Now, with key injuries to Trey Murphy III and Yves Missi piled on top of this poor play, the writing is on the wall. If they don’t find some accountability quickly, this season could slip away from New Orleans faster than anyone expected, leaving them stuck at the bottom of the Western Conference once again. The players have to answer Zion’s challenge right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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