The Houston Rockets have made a habit this season of responding to adversity with poise and grit. But Thursday night in New Orleans told a different story - one where composure gave way to chaos, and a 25-point second-half lead evaporated into a 133-128 overtime loss that left more questions than answers.
This wasn’t just a tough road loss. It was a collapse. And it played out in real time, with visible frustration on the court, breakdowns on both ends, and a sideline confrontation that quickly became the night’s defining image.
Late in the game, as the Pelicans surged back into contention, cameras caught a heated exchange between Rockets head coach Ime Udoka and Pelicans rookie big man Derik Queen. The interaction, though still shrouded in mystery regarding what exactly was said, quickly made the rounds on social media. What’s clear is that emotions were running high - and the moment underscored just how disjointed things had become for Houston.
But the tension on the sideline was only part of the story. The bigger issue? The Rockets simply let go of the rope.
Houston led by 22 at halftime and stretched the lead to 25 early in the third quarter. They were in full control, facing a Pelicans team that had only six wins coming into the night. And then, just like that, the wheels came off.
In the final 29 minutes of the game, the Rockets gave up 88 points - nearly double what they allowed in the entire first half. Defensive rotations broke down.
Ball pressure disappeared. The Pelicans, once stagnant, suddenly looked like a team playing with house money - confident, aggressive, and completely unbothered by Houston’s early dominance.
After the game, Udoka didn’t mince words.
“After holding them to 45 in the first half to give up 74 in the second half… obviously that’s an embarrassing defensive effort there,” he said. And he was right.
The numbers don’t lie. Houston’s defense, which had been one of the more improved units in the league this season, completely unraveled down the stretch.
But Udoka didn’t stop at the defense. He called out the team’s ball security and decision-making, pointing to a lack of discipline that allowed the Pelicans to claw their way back. Turnovers, rushed shots, and poor execution in key moments all played a role in letting a winnable game slip away.
This was the kind of loss that stings - not just because of the final score, but because of how it happened. The Rockets had the game in their hands. They let it go.
For a team that’s been praised this season for its maturity and resilience, Thursday night was a reminder that growth isn’t linear. Even promising young teams hit walls. The challenge now for Houston is to learn from this - and make sure it doesn’t happen again.