New Orleans Pelicans fans want an apology from Jordan Poole for the tomfoolery he pulled in the final minutes of their game Sunday against the Houston Rockets.
The Pelicans trailed the Rockets 112-100 with just over four minutes left inside Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The Pels caught a break when Amen Thompson gave up a live-ball turnover, which led to Zion Williamson finding Poole on an outlet pass.
Poole had an uncontested layup if he wanted it, but instead opted to lob an alley-oop off the backboard. The ball ricocheted off the glass, and into the hands of Rockets center Aleperen Sengun.
Jordan Poole tries to throw lob off glass instead finishing the easy layup, while down 12 late in the 4th quarter.
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) January 19, 2026
THIS GUY IS NOT SERIOUS LMAO pic.twitter.com/k9vEDVuVkZ
Fans were baffled by Poole’s decision, with several of them voicing their concerns on social media.
I would bench Jordan Poole for the rest of the season. Down 12 in the last minutes of a 4th quarter and he turns down an open layup for an off the glass lob that obviously doesn’t work.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) January 19, 2026
You can't do this down 12 in the 4th. If Zion cared about winning as much as Draymond, he'd mark out Jordan Poole just like Draymond did. https://t.co/ebHI7RvfJO
— Matt (@KingsofCardio) January 19, 2026
Jordan Poole 11 points in the 4th. And somehow it’s still overshadowed by him throwing it off the glass for a dunk down a dozen. Like what’s the thought process?
— YFxTwoFive (@nola_yf) January 19, 2026
Jordan Poole just attempted an off the backboard alley oop pass with an open layup down 12 in the fourth quarter when Pelicans were on a run…
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) January 19, 2026
Not needed at all.
The Pelicans were on a 10-3 run at that point and had momentum shifting their way before Poole’s ill-timed play. Poole may have been feeling extra confident after scoring New Orleans’ last six points. But the basketball gods struck him down for his show of hubris as his team still trailed by a dozen.
Poole scored 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter. But his efforts weren’t enough as the Rockets held on for a 119-110 win over his Pelicans.
The game may have been different had Poole just made the simple play in transition.
