The New Orleans Pelicans’ night in Houston was another dismal chapter in what has become a nightmare stretch of their season. Despite early hopes of turning things around, the Pelicans were thoroughly outclassed in a 128-111 defeat to the surging Houston Rockets.
Jalen Greendominated with a blistering 30-point performance in under 30 minutes, while Fred VanVleet buried seven 3-pointers en route to 25 points. Houston’s young squad showcased its depth, with rookie Cam Whitmore adding 27 points off the bench and Alperen Şengün delivering a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds. For the Pelicans, Trey Murphy III led with 21 points, but the team’s glaring weaknesses—compounded by the prolonged absences of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram—were on full display.
The Pelicans’ slide now extends to eight consecutive losses and 17 of their last 18 games, leaving the team searching for answers amid mounting injuries and a lack of cohesion. Without their star players, New Orleans struggled to match Houston’s energy and efficiency. The Rockets raced to a 17-point lead in the first quarter, never trailed, and stretched their advantage to 30 in the second half.
The Pelicans’ defense had no answers for Houston’s long-range barrage, as Green, VanVleet, and Whitmore combined to shoot 17-of-31 from beyond the arc. While the team limited its starters’ minutes late in the game, the growing frustration among fans and players alike is palpable. As the Pelicans prepare to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, they face an urgent need to rediscover their rhythm—or risk falling further behind in an unforgiving Western Conference.
