New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson submitted a rock-solid Shaqtin’ a fool entry to close out Friday’s game against the Houston Rockets.
The Pelicans had possession and trailed 105-104 with less than 10 seconds left at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. New Orleans had a real chance to steal a win against a Western Conference squad several rungs above it in the standings.
But Williamson threw the Pels’ chances away with a hilarious inbound pass that had Herb Jones chasing a bouncing ball as if it were a fumbled pigskin.
With a chance to win the game, Zion throws the ball away
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) March 14, 2026
SHAQTIN' pic.twitter.com/QU5Qu0OPKj
The ball rolled just far enough to evade Jones’ fingertips. New Orleans fouled Kevin Durant, who sank two free throws to extend Houston’s lead to 107-104.
The basketball gods must have felt bad for the Pelicans, because they somehow got a second chance to win the game. The Rockets intentionally fouled Dejounte Murray to prevent the Pels from getting a clean look at a game-tying three. Murray made the first and intentionally missed the second.
The missed free throw got tapped around right into the hands of Trey Murphy III, who missed what would’ve been a stunning game-winning three as time expired.
What a collapse followed by an incredible comeback … Rockets hold on to beat the Pelicans 107-105. pic.twitter.com/8RFt7mzdzB
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) March 14, 2026
The ending to Friday’s game was fitting, considering the kind of season the Pelicans have had this season. New Orleans, which doesn’t have its own first-round pick for the draft in June, may be the worst team not actively trying to lose this season.
