The Brooklyn Nets entered Wednesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans as one of the NBA's worst teams, fresh off a 37-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Then they faced the ultimate slump buster in the New Orleans Pelicans.
Brooklyn thumped New Orleans 145-111, by far its best performance of the season. The Pelicans, meanwhile, have now lost their last two games by a combined 85 points, as the Golden State Warriors throttled them 138-87 on Tuesday.
Zion Williamson is fed up. The former No. 1 pick called out his teammates after the Brooklyn loss, describing the drubbing in one word: "unacceptable." He then explained how the Pels can get back on track.
Zion Williamson is calling for change and reflection after the @PelicansNBA 145-111 loss
to the @BrooklynNets . New Orleans has dropped three straight, including back-to-back losses by 30 or more points.#nba #beinthekneaux #zion #pelicans @beinthekneaux pic.twitter.com/CgKDwrFEs8
— Andrew Wellmann (@Andrew_Wellmann) November 12, 2026
"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, per ESPN. "'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."
Williamson, a two-time All-Star, has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but he's been healthy this season and played 62 games in 2025-26. If New Orleans doesn't start to turn things around, Williamson will find himself in trade rumors once again.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Zion Williamson has 1 word to describe Pelicans' blowout loss
