The absence of superstar Zion Williamson was glaring for the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, as they were handed a substantial 122-90 loss by the visiting Boston Celtics in a near wire-to-wire defeat. The loss, which dropped the Pelicans to 0-3, prompted a scathing and emotional critique from head coach Willie Green, who lambasted his team’s lack of fight and toughness on their home floor.
Oct 27, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green reacts during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Without their offensive centerpiece, the Pelicans’ attack crumbled. The team shot an abysmal 33.3% from the field and a dismal 25% from beyond the arc. Jordan Poole led the team with 22 points on inefficient 5-of-14 shooting, while rookie Jeremiah Fears, making his first start in Williamson’s place, registered a game-worst -31 plus/minus.
In the aftermath, Coach Green’s frustration was palpable, zeroing in not on the poor shooting, but on what he perceived as a complete lack of competitive spirit.
“We Got Punked”: Green Demands More Toughness
“I’m disappointed,” Green stated bluntly. “Disappointed in how we approached the game. I’m disappointed in just the lack of toughness on the floor more than anything. That’s the part that’s difficult. It’s one thing not to win a game. It’s a whole other thing to get punked on your home floor.”
Green emphasized that the issue was a collective failure, requiring a total shift in mentality. “They just took the fight to us,” he said. “They were a tougher team. Mentally tougher than we were, physically tougher than we were… All of us, we’ve got to take more pride in how we approach the game.”As the Pelicans stare down an 0-3 start with two disappointing home losses, the path forward is daunting. The hope is that Zion Williamson’s absence was primarily for rest and that he will return to action soon. The team embarks on a three-game road trip starting Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets, a stretch where rediscovering the pride and toughness demanded by their coach will be critical to salvaging their fledgling season.