The New Orleans Pelicans are riding a wave of momentum, and they’ll look to keep it rolling Monday night when they host the Dallas Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center. Winners of four straight, the Pels are starting to find their rhythm under interim head coach James Borrego - and it’s not just about the final scores. It’s about how they’re getting there.
Saturday’s 128-109 win over the Indiana Pacers wasn’t just another W in the column. It was a statement - and maybe even a glimpse into a new identity taking shape in New Orleans.
The biggest headline? Zion Williamson dropped a season-high 29 points, but he did it in a way we haven’t seen before: coming off the bench.
Yes, you read that right. Zion, the face of the franchise, didn’t start.
But that wasn’t a demotion - it was a strategic shift. Borrego is clearly experimenting with rotations and maximizing matchups, and it’s paying off.
Bringing Zion in as a spark plug against second units gives him space to dominate, and it’s opening doors for the Pelicans’ young core to grow.
Two rookies in particular - Jeremiah Fears and Derek Queen - are benefiting from this new look. Instead of being buried on the bench behind veterans, they’re getting meaningful minutes and real developmental reps. That’s not always easy to do when you’re trying to win games, but Borrego is threading the needle between winning now and building for the future.
After the win, Borrego made it clear: while the progress is encouraging, the mission isn’t complete.
“Pleased, but never satisfied. I think that’s the mentality right now,” Borrego said.
“I’m pleased with the progress. I’m pleased with these four games.
I’m proud of the group. They’re putting in the effort.
But this is not, you know, pat ourselves on the back and be satisfied. That’s not the process that we were talking about.”
It’s the kind of mindset that can sustain a team through the grind of an NBA season. The Pelicans aren’t just stacking wins - they’re building habits, chemistry, and confidence.
Now comes the next test. The Mavericks roll into town Monday night, bringing with them one of the league’s most dynamic offensive duos. It’ll be another chance for New Orleans to prove that this isn’t just a hot streak - it’s a foundation.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network. If the Pelicans keep playing with this kind of energy, cohesion, and adaptability, they might just be turning the corner at the perfect time.