Pelicans players react to tragic truck attack in New Orleans

In the early morning hours of Jan. 1, a driver rammed a pickup truck into those celebrating the new year on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. He killed at least 10 people and injured plenty more.

The FBI made a statement on X regarding the attack and is reportedly investigating the attack as an act of terrorism. According to the FBI, an Islamic State group flag was later spotted on the trailer hitch of the truck.

Additionally, per a Louisiana State Police intelligence bulletin, guns and pipe bombs were uncovered in the car.

New Orleans Pelicans players Zion Williamson and Jose Alvarado reacted to the news of the truck attack on X and said they’re praying for the city.

The driver of the truck has been identified as a 42-year-old Texas man named Shamsud-Din Jabbar, and he was shot to death by police after he exited his car and began shooting at officers. Jabbar actually managed to shoot two officers before he went down, but both of them are reportedly in stable condition.

In light of the tragedy on Bourbon Street, one college football game has been officially postponed. The playoff quarterfinal matchup between the University of Georgia and University of Notre Dame was originally scheduled for Wednesday night but has now been pushed back to Thursday.

The Pelicans have a matchup against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, and thankfully it’s a road contest for New Orleans. The team will try to avoid its 11th loss in a row when it takes on Tyler Herro and company at Kaseya Center.

Unfortunately for the Pelicans, they’ve had a disastrous start to the 2024-25 regular season. Thanks in part to poor injury luck, New Orleans owns an NBA-worst record of 5-28 right now.

Plus, Williamson has been sidelined for quite some time. He hasn’t taken the floor since Nov. 6, when New Orleans ended up losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Williamson finished that contest with 29 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one steal and one blocked shot.

Folks across the United States should have their thoughts and prayers with New Orleans after such a frightening incident took place.