In a heartbreaking incident that shocked the New Orleans community, Pelicans coach Willie Green expressed his deep sadness after learning of the devastating truck attack that claimed the lives of at least 15 people on Bourbon Street, early in the morning on New Year's Eve.
Before his team faced the Miami Heat in a game that ended in a 119-108 loss, Green described the attack as a “senseless act of violence.” The tragic event occurred around 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, of Texas, drove his truck through the barriers and onto the crowded sidewalk at a worrying speed, ultimately causing chaos and injuries.
After the attack, Jabbar got out of the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with police, who then shot him. Authorities reported more than 30 injuries and the FBI is treating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.
“Devastated. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families affected by this senseless act of violence,” Green said sincerely. “We talked about it briefly with our players, but it’s difficult to navigate things like this. You can't help but feel unsafe in various places now. Schools, churches, everyone should be able to enjoy their time outdoors safely. It's heartbreaking, and I can't imagine what these families are going through, the long road they now have to go through.
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Green recounted how he first learned of the tragedy through a seemingly innocuous message from his father, wishing him a Happy New Year while expressing concern for the people of New Orleans. “I didn't understand what he meant until I watched the news,” he soberly shared.
The Pelicans coach, now in his fourth year, reflected on the difficulty of focusing on basketball during times of calamity. “It can be difficult to concentrate. We have had our share of these attacks in this country, and this one hits particularly close to home,” he said. “Stepping outside the basketball bubble reveals the reality that there is so much more at stake and so many people affected by tragedies like this; it's difficult to put the game into perspective.
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Playing their home games at the Smoothie King Center, located about a mile from the scene of the attack, the Pelicans, along with the New Orleans Saints, two franchises owned by Gayle Benson, released a heartfelt statement. “The New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred on Bourbon Street early on the morning of New Year's Eve. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their families during this time difficult, and we express our deepest gratitude to the first responders who courageously attended the scene,” the joint statement said.
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Echoing the spirit of the city, they added: “New Orleans is a city rooted in resilience, and this heartbreaking event serves to remind us of the need to come together to support each other, honor those affected and focus on healing as a community. In times of distress, the New Orleans community has always demonstrated extraordinary courage and compassion, and we believe this time will be no exception.
The Pelicans are scheduled to host the Washington Wizards on Friday night, and while the game is expected to go ahead as scheduled, organizers have indicated changes could be made if necessary.
