Look, when the NBA decided to launch this 'Dunks' competition back in 2024, I figured it'd be a fun sideshow. Two years in, and we just saw a legitimate playoff-level beatdown. The New Orleans Pelicans absolutely dismantled the Houston Rockets, taking the series 4-1. Anyone who watched Zion Williamson throw down those windmills and reverse slams knew pretty early this wasn't going to be close.
The series opener on March 1st set the tone. Zion scored 95 points, including a perfect 10 on a 360-degree alley-oop that brought the Smoothie King Center to its feet. Houston's Jalen Green, for all his athleticism, just couldn't match the sheer force. Green managed 82 points in that first contest, but it felt like he was constantly playing catch-up.
Zion's Unstoppable Force
Thing is, you build a team around your best dunker in this format. Pelicans' coach Willie Green clearly understood that. He ran a simplified offense designed to get Williamson the ball in space, often off screens from Jonas Valančiūnas, allowing Zion to attack the rim with a head of steam. We saw fewer elaborate setups and more pure, unadulterated power dunks.
Game 2 was the Rockets' lone bright spot. Kevin Porter Jr. caught fire, scoring 90 points and hitting some ridiculous off-the-backboard slams. That 100-98 victory for Houston felt like a momentary reprieve, not a shift in momentum. Porter Jr. even managed a perfect 10 on a self-alley-oop from half-court in the final minute, a truly spectacular moment that briefly gave Rockets fans hope.
But the Pelicans adjusted. In Game 3, Willie Green started CJ McCollum, not for his dunking prowess, but for his ability to handle the ball and distribute. McCollum only threw down a handful of dunks all series, but his 15 assists in Game 3 were crucial, repeatedly feeding Williamson and Trey Murphy III for easy buckets. Murphy III, by the way, was quietly brilliant, averaging 75 points per game and showcasing some seriously underrated athleticism.
Houston's Missed Opportunities
Rockets coach Ime Udoka, on the other hand, seemed a bit stuck. He kept trying to force isolation dunks for Green and Porter Jr., which worked sometimes, but not consistently enough against Zion's relentless attack. The Rockets needed more variety, more off-ball movement to create different angles. Their reliance on contested slams felt desperate by Game 4.
Game 4 was the real clincher. The Pelicans won 110-85, with Zion scoring 105 points, including five perfect-10 dunks. He had a 360-degree windmill, a reverse between-the-legs, and a back-scratcher that defied physics. It was a performance that solidified his MVP candidacy for the competition. Green looked visibly frustrated, only managing 70 points and missing several attempts.
And then came the final punch in Game 5. Back in New Orleans, the Pelicans closed it out 108-92. Herb Jones, known more for his defense in the regular NBA season, even got in on the action with a couple of powerful two-hand slams, showing the depth of New Orleans' roster. It was a complete team effort, even in a competition built for individual brilliance.
For the Pelicans, this win is huge. It validates their strategy and their star. They move on with serious momentum, proving they're the team to beat in the Western Conference Dunks bracket. Williamson's average of 98 points per game in the series is simply absurd, and he's clearly taken his dunking to another level. They're heading into the next round as heavy favorites.
As for the Rockets, it's a tough pill to swallow. They have talent, no doubt, but they lacked the tactical flexibility and the pure, dominant force that Zion brings. Udoka will need to rethink his approach for next season's competition. Their young core, including Amen Thompson, showed flashes, but consistency was an issue. They're still a rebuilding team, even in this alternate universe of dunking.
My hot take? Jalen Green needs to spend the offseason working on his creativity, not just his power. He's got the springs, but he needs to add some flair to truly compete with guys like Zion.
Next up, the Pelicans face the winner of the Lakers-Suns series. That could be a real test, especially if LeBron James decides to turn back the clock for a few dunks. The Rockets, meanwhile, are done for the season in this particular competition, heading back to regular NBA action.
Bold Prediction: Zion Williamson will lead the Pelicans to the NBA Dunks Championship, solidifying his status as the greatest dunker in the league's history, regardless of format.