The New Orleans Pelicans are showing signs of improvement, and the numbers back it up. With an 11-9 record over their last 20 games, they're starting to turn heads. But the real test is just around the corner, as their next 10 games will reveal if this progress is genuine.
The Pelicans tied their win total from last season with their 21st victory, a decisive 138-118 win over the Washington Wizards. While 14 of these wins have come against teams unlikely to make the playoffs, the Pelicans are proving they can handle business against less formidable opponents, consistently winning by double digits.
Interim coach James Borrego praised his team’s relentless effort, noting, “They keep pounding the rock.” However, the upcoming schedule ramps up the difficulty, starting with a home game against the Toronto Raptors. Nine of their next 10 opponents are playoff contenders or in the play-in mix.
“It’s a great measuring stick to see where we’re at,” Borrego said. “We’ve played good basketball since just before the All-Star break. This stretch will test us again, which is exactly what we need.”
The only non-playoff team they’ll face in this stretch is the Dallas Mavericks. Otherwise, they’ll encounter the Raptors twice, as well as the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Detroit Pistons. The Cavs, Knicks, and Pistons are all top-tier teams in the Eastern Conference.
Forward Trey Murphy echoed the sentiment, saying, “It’s a litmus test to see what quality of basketball we are really playing. We’ve faced teams that might not have been pushing for wins. Now, we’ll see how we measure up against those fighting for playoff spots.”
The Pelicans have shown they can compete with playoff-bound teams, taking both the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns to the wire on a recent road trip. Despite their current 21-45 record, the Pelicans aren’t coasting. Without a first-round draft pick, they’re focused on winning and building momentum.
Borrego emphasized the team’s character, stating, “We’re about getting better and doing the right things. We compete every day, adhering to a high standard. We’re in every game until the final buzzer.”
As they prepare to face former Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram and the Raptors, the Pelicans are healthier than they’ve been all season. Despite their record, they’re attacking these next 10 games with the mindset of a team vying for playoff positioning.
“This is who we are, no matter our record,” Borrego said. “It’s about building a championship-winning program. We’re making strides, and there’s a noticeable edge about this group.”