The New Orleans Pelicans are finally starting to look like the team fans hoped they'd be - healthy, confident, and clicking on both ends of the floor. Their 114-104 road win over the Chicago Bulls marks their second two-game win streak of the season, and more importantly, it feels like they’re beginning to find their rhythm at just the right time.
At the heart of this recent surge is something Pelicans fans haven’t seen much of this season: a healthy roster. With Zion Williamson returning to the lineup well ahead of schedule, New Orleans is as close to full strength as they’ve been all year. Dejounte Murray remains sidelined as he recovers from a torn Achilles, but otherwise, the injury report is finally quiet - and that silence is golden.
Zion didn’t start, coming off the bench as the team eases him back into action, but he looked strong in his minutes. He finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists - a solid return that reminded everyone just how much of a difference-maker he can be when he’s on the floor. His physicality and presence alone change the way defenses have to play, and even in limited minutes, he made his impact felt.
But the night belonged to Jeremiah Fears. The rookie guard continues to make a name for himself, and his performance down the stretch was the difference in this one.
He tied Trey Murphy III for the team-high with 20 points, but it was the how that stood out. Fears’ burst in the fourth quarter - that extra gear he seems to find when defenders are gassed - was a game-changer.
He’s quickly becoming the kind of closer every team needs, someone who can take over late and tilt the game in his team’s favor.
Defensively, the Pelicans delivered one of their best performances of the season. Holding the Bulls to just 104 points - the fewest they’ve allowed since November 29 - was a statement.
This wasn’t just about scoring; it was about locking in, rotating well, and making life difficult for Chicago’s shooters. That kind of defensive effort hasn’t been a constant this season, but if it becomes one, the Pelicans could be a real problem down the stretch.
And speaking of the stretch - yes, the play-in tournament is still a long shot, with New Orleans sitting 5.5 games behind the Dallas Mavericks. But that gap doesn’t feel quite so insurmountable anymore.
Not when the team is playing its best basketball of the year and finally has the pieces to compete. The turnaround would be dramatic, no doubt, but this league has seen stranger things.
For now, though, it’s less about standings and more about momentum. Head coach James Borrego deserves credit for keeping the locker room engaged and for getting real production from his young players. This team is starting to believe again - and belief, especially in December, can go a long way.
The win also capped off a rare double-dose of joy for New Orleans fans, with the Saints knocking off the rival Panthers earlier in the day. Both teams leaned on rookies to get it done, and in a city that’s had more than its share of sports frustration lately, that kind of day feels like a breath of fresh air.
The Pelicans now get a three-day break before returning home for a tough matchup against the 16-6 Houston Rockets on Thursday, December 18. That’ll be a serious test - but if this version of the Pelicans shows up, they’ll be ready.