“Bunch of fake tough guys”- Zion Williamson throws ICE COLD 360 windmill dunk resulting in an UGLY brawl between the Suns & Pelicans, fans react
Mia Walsh
Updated on March 31, 2026
In the closing seconds of Friday night’s game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns, Zion Williamson unleashed an incredible 360-degree windmill slam. Zion made the exclamation point to put the dagger in Phoenix in a showdown between two of the top teams in the NBA, and the Suns weren’t happy about it as it resulted in a slight altercation between the teams.
On Friday night, the Pelicans won their sixth straight game thanks to another outstanding performance from Zion Williamson. This Phoenix Suns squad was those who eliminated the Pelicans from the playoffs last year and this was special for them. Since the birth of sports, there have been unwritten rules to maintain intense competition. As a result, you typically notice when a player appears to be breaking one of these rules quite fast. A parallel incident occurred during Friday night’s victory for New Orleans over Phoenix.
With less than ten seconds left, the Pelicans had the game firmly under control, leading by nine points. Zion Williamson of the Pelicans decided to put on a show for his Pelicans fans instead of dribbling out the clock, as is traditional in such circumstances for the winning team, by launching a tremendous 360 windmill slam in the final seconds.
Williamson pumped up the fans after the fierce dunk by flexing and roaring to his teammates. This action put an end to the Suns’ displeasure with Chris Paul attacking Jose Alvarado prior to the intervention of officials and Pelicans coach Willie Green.
He also got into a heated altercation with a coach from Phoenix. Just after the game concluded, several members of both teams’ rosters and coaching staff were spotted pushing and insulting one another in the middle of the court.
Also Read: WATCH: Michael Malone shouts ‘F*CK YOU’ to lady ref only to get himself ejected against Pelicans
Zion Williamson powers the Pelicans to a victory over the Phoenix Suns
In a clash of the top two teams in the Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Suns 128-117 on Friday night thanks to a fierce performance from Zion Williamson, who finished with a season-high 35 points. The Pelicans, who have won six straight and 11 of 13, added 20 points from Jose Alvarado, who came off the bench, and 18 points from CJ McCollum.
For New Orleans, Larry Nance Jr. ended with 17 points and 9 rebounds, Jonas Valanciunas overcame a 4-of-16 shooting performance to finish with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Naji Marshall scored 14 points.
For the Phoenix Suns (16-10), who fell for the fourth time in five games to fall 1 1/2 games behind New Orleans (17-8) atop the Western Conference, Deandre Ayton had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Chris Paul scored 24 points. Paul made 6 of 9 three-pointers for the Suns, who shot 50% overall and 50% from 3-point range (22 of 44).
With 14 points each, Devin Booker and Torrey Craig continued their season-long inconsistency. In the second half, the Suns made 15 of their 22 attempted 3-pointers, cutting the Pelicans’ lead to 16 points, but they were unable to pull away.
Fans react to Zion Williamson’s dunk followed by the altercation
This is how the fans on Twitter reacted to the incident:
Bunch of fake tough guys… Zion was RIGHT THERE after the dunk and no one walked up to him smh they don’t want smoke fr
— Panayioti 🇬🇷 (@orfanos1016) December 10, 2022
Game ends when the clock hits 0, the suns acting tough going over and confronting everyone but Zion shows once again how classless they are, if they didn’t want Zion to dunk that maybe just don’t be getting embarrassed any time you play a good team
— Michael (@michaelwelchhh) December 10, 2022
If you have a problem with Zion’s dunk at the end of the Suns game I got news for you…YOU. ARE. SOFT.
— Jake (@PorkFryedRice) December 10, 2022
If the Suns didn't like the Zion dunk, then maybe don't get your ass kicked for the third straight game and do something about it.
Pels📈📈📈
— "Thunder Dan" Palyo (@ThunderDanDFS) December 10, 2022
Insane 360 dunk by Zion on the #Suns I Liked seeing the tension flare after the game. For awhile the NBA lost its ways when it comes to rivalries!!
— Àndrù🌎 (@MAKETHEHILLS) December 10, 2022
That dunk isn't why they are mad. They mad because they got beat by a team that's better than them. Zion owned the suns all night and will do so in the future
— Chris Rad (@XfrankensteinXl) December 10, 2022
New unwritten rule for the NBA, let Zion do dunk contest dunks every time at the end of game.
— DemonL (@DemonL00) December 10, 2022
In the first round of the 2022 playoffs, the top-seeded Suns played the eighth-seeded Pelicans. Zion Williamson, who didn’t participate in every game throughout the season, stood helpless as Phoenix defeated New Orleans in a contentious series.
As the former Duke star is off to another outstanding season he has averaged 23.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 19 games. Williamson hasn’t lost any of his athleticism and is still practically bullying his opponents as he did the Suns today.
Also Read: Former Los Angeles Laker champion suspects Phoenix Suns gorilla mascot depicts racism covertly
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