yahoo
The New Orleans Pelicans' season hit a new low on Monday night with a 145-111 blowout loss to the Brooklyn Nets, marking their fourth straight defeat. More concerning, the team has now allowed 138 or more points in three consecutive games—the worst such stretch in franchise history.
Following the game, star forward Zion Williamson didn't mince words when describing the team's performance. 'Unacceptable,' Williamson said. 'I don't even have a lot of words. Just unacceptable.'
Williamson finished with 29 points, but it wasn't nearly enough to compensate for a Pelicans defense that allowed the Nets to score at will throughout the contest.
The former No. 1 overall pick emphasized the need for collective accountability from top to bottom. 'As men we have to, as a unit, players, coaches, everybody, you have to go look yourself in the mirror when you by yourself and say, did I do everything that I needed to do for my team?' Williamson said. 'Did I do—was I in the gaps on defense? Was I a low man when I was supposed to? Did I get out there and contest shots to make it tough on them? Did I do everything I needed to do? Did I give in real effort? That's what everybody has to do.'
Key Analysis
With the loss, New Orleans falls to 4-8 on the season, a disappointing start after an offseason that promised change. The Pelicans brought in head coach Jamahl Mosley to inject new energy and direction, but early returns suggest the same issues that plagued the team last year remain unresolved. The most glaring problem is a defense that has been historically porous over the past three games, and until that side of the ball is fixed, the Pelicans appear stuck in neutral. Williamson's fiery words may serve as a wake-up call, but only time will tell if the team responds.
Originally reported by yahoo.