Zion Williamson Calls Out Pelicans After Loss to Nets, 'Go Look Yourself in the Mirror'

Zion Williamson didn't hide his frustration following the New Orleans Pelicans' 145-111 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

Speaking to reporters after the loss, Williamson called out everyone on the Pelicans to "go look yourself in the mirror" to figure out what went wrong in another blowout loss:

"As men we have to, 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? Did I do — 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 also called the Pelicans' performance "unacceptable."

Nets-Pelicans Highlights

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The 145 points scored by the Nets is tied with the Miami Heat for the most by a team in a game so far this season. Brooklyn put up at least 38 points in three of the four quarters.

Even when the Nets were held to just 24 points in the third quarter, New Orleans' offense failed to take advantage because it only put up 15 points.

Brooklyn shot 57 percent overall and 20-of-41 from three-point range. The Pelicans have allowed opponents to shoot better than 50 percent from the field six times in 12 games this season.

This loss paired with Monday's 138-87 defeat against the Golden State Warriors means the Pelicans have been outscored by 85 points in their last 96 minutes of game time.

New Orleans has given up at least 130 points five times in 12 games, including each of the last three. The Pelicans are responsible for four of the six highest-scoring games by an opposing team.

The Pelicans have lost four straight games after a decent 4-4 start. They have the fifth-worst defensive rating and sixth-worst net rating this season.

New Orleans has played the last two games without Trey Murphy III due to a knee injury. He won't solve all of the defensive issues on his own, but his size and versatility creates problems for opposing teams.

We will find out if the Pelicans take Williamson's words to heart on Friday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA Cup game at Smoothie King Center.