The New Orleans Pelicans suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Houston Rockets, falling 146-117 in a game that exposed significant weaknesses on both ends of the court. Despite Zion Williamson’s 20-point effort and solid contributions from Jose Alvarado and CJ McCollum, the Pelicans struggled to find rhythm and cohesion.
Houston set the tone early, with Dillon Brooks leading the charge with 27 points, while Alperen Sengun and Aaron Holiday each added 20. The Pelicans appeared outmatched and overwhelmed as the Rockets extended their dominance throughout the game.
A critical turning point came late in the second quarter, when CJ McCollum’s 3-pointer narrowed the deficit to 11. However, a quick response by Brooks, followed by a Pelicans turnover and free throws, swung momentum firmly back in Houston’s favor. The Rockets carried that energy into the third quarter with an 8-4 run, pushing their lead to 20 points.
Entering the final frame down by 26, New Orleans could not recover. The loss marks the Pelicans’ fourth in five games, leaving fans and analysts questioning the team’s consistency and defensive effort. With a tough schedule ahead, the Pelicans must regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.
