A single shot, a single play, has the power to influence an entire season’s momentum and evoke a myriad of emotions from the players on the court. The New Orleans Pelicans and Boston Celtics game epitomizes this truth. Despite the Pelicans’ aggressive approach in a previous victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, they fell short in Saturday’s loss to the Eastern Conference champions.
Derrick White’s buzzer-beating shot to give Boston the lead at halftime left CJ McCollum devastated, while Zion Williamson remained focused on achieving playoff consistency. The Pelicans struggled in the third quarter, scoring only 11 points and ultimately succumbing to a 104-92 defeat. McCollum emphasized the importance of energy and execution, pointing out the team’s deficiencies in rebounding and defensive rotations.
Williamson acknowledged the need for a more focused and intense performance, highlighting the team’s sluggish start in the third quarter. Despite experimenting with a small-ball lineup that prioritized speed and flexibility, the Pelicans failed to match the Celtics’ intensity. The debate around strategic lineup choices continues, but both McCollum and Williamson stress the importance of improved execution and effort in future games.
