Pelicans at the Break: A Season Stuck in Neutral, Searching for Traction
If you're feeling déjà vu watching the New Orleans Pelicans this season, you're not alone. The same frustrations that defined the team a year ago have resurfaced - and in some ways, deepened.
At the All-Star break, the Pelicans sit at 15-41, just two wins better than where they were at this time last season. The record tells the story, but the road to get here has been filled with more valleys than peaks.
Let’s break down the key moments - and missteps - that have shaped the Pelicans’ season so far.
1. Willie Green’s Early Exit
Twelve games into the season, the Pelicans made their first major move - and it was a big one. Head coach Willie Green was relieved of his duties after a 2-10 start.
The team opened the year on a six-game skid, and while Green had battled through injury-plagued seasons in the past, this time the issues ran deeper. It wasn’t just the losing - it was the way they were losing.
Lackluster effort, inconsistent execution, and an overall sense of stagnation led to executive VP Joe Dumars pulling the trigger.
Green’s fifth season ended abruptly, and while he wasn’t entirely to blame, the franchise clearly felt it needed a new voice in the locker room.
2. Different Year, Same Story
At 15-41, the Pelicans are once again near the bottom of the NBA standings. A year ago, they were 13-42.
So yes - technically, that’s progress. But it’s hard to spin this season as anything other than a repeat of last year’s struggles.
What makes this version sting more is that, for the most part, the team has been healthy. The hope coming into the season was that a clean bill of health might finally give this roster a chance to gel and push for a play-in spot. Instead, the same late-game collapses and inconsistent performances have kept them in the league’s basement.
There is a silver lining: the schedule softens up a bit down the stretch. With 26 games to go and several opponents in tank mode, the Pelicans could claw back some respectability - but that’s a big “if.”
3. The Five-Game Spark
For a brief moment in December, it looked like the Pelicans might be turning the corner. A five-game winning streak - their longest of the season - included a thrilling comeback win over the Rockets, where they erased a 25-point deficit. They also notched wins over the Blazers, Bulls, Pacers, and Mavericks.
Sure, most of those teams aren’t playoff-bound, but stacking wins matters for a young team trying to find its footing. Unfortunately, that momentum didn’t last.
Since then, the best they’ve managed are a couple of modest two-game streaks. That December run now feels more like a blip than a breakthrough.
4. Zion’s Ironman Stretch
Here’s one undeniable bright spot: Zion Williamson has played in 30 straight games - the longest stretch of availability in his NBA career. That’s no small feat for a player whose durability has been the biggest question mark since he entered the league in 2019.
While his presence hasn’t translated into wins, it’s a step in the right direction. Williamson has shown a renewed commitment to staying on the floor and being there for his teammates. That matters - not just for this season, but for the long-term outlook of the franchise.
5. The Jordan Poole Letdown
When the Pelicans brought in Jordan Poole, the hope was that he’d bring shot-making, floor spacing, and a bit of that championship pedigree from his Warriors days. Instead, he’s become the team’s biggest disappointment.
Poole hasn’t played in the last nine games, and his role in the rotation appears to have evaporated. His 3-point shooting sits at 33.6%, and the spark he was expected to provide just hasn’t materialized. For a player with the second-highest salary on the roster - behind only Zion - that’s a tough pill to swallow.
6. Bey Exceeding Expectations
On the flip side, Saddiq Bey has been a pleasant surprise. Acquired as part of the CJ McCollum deal, Bey was coming off a torn ACL and missed all of last season. But he’s bounced back in a big way.
Bey has started 41 games and is averaging 16.5 points and 5.9 boards - steady production from a player many viewed as a throw-in. He’s become one of the Pelicans’ most reliable contributors and has given the team much-needed toughness and shot-making on the wing.
7. Trey Murphy’s Historic Night
Trey Murphy gave Pelicans fans something to cheer about earlier this season when he exploded for a career-high 44 points against the Bucks. That performance included a franchise-record 12 made 3-pointers - a mark only he and Steph Curry have hit this season.
Murphy also became the franchise’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers, surpassing McCollum. In a season short on highlights, Murphy’s shooting display was a reminder of his elite scoring potential.
8. Rookies Rising
When two rookies from the same team make the Rising Stars game, that usually says more about the team’s struggles than anything else - but it’s still a credit to the Pelicans’ front office.
Both Queen and Fears have been bright spots. Queen has recorded two triple-doubles, while Fears came just two assists shy of one in a recent loss to Miami.
Fears has played in every game, and Queen has missed just one. These two have shown poise beyond their years and could be foundational pieces moving forward.
9. The Trade Deadline Shuffle
The trade deadline came and went with minimal movement from the Pelicans. The only deal they made was sending fan favorite Jose Alvarado to the Knicks in exchange for Dalen Terry - who was waived almost immediately. The team also picked up two second-round picks and some cash.
Losing Alvarado stings. His energy, defense, and infectious personality made him a crowd favorite and a spark off the bench. His absence will be felt in a locker room that already lacks fire.
10. Borrego’s Trial Run
Since James Borrego took over for Willie Green, the results have been mixed. The Pelicans are 13-31 under Borrego, but they’ve gone 5-5 since he inserted a new starting five: Williamson, Murphy, Bey, Queen, and Herb Jones.
That group has shown flashes of cohesion, and how they perform over the final 26 games could determine Borrego’s future with the franchise. If they can build some chemistry and string together wins, it might be enough to earn him a longer look. If not, the Pelicans could be looking at another reset this offseason.
Final Thoughts
The Pelicans entered this season hoping to turn the page. Instead, they’ve found themselves stuck in the same script.
But all is not lost. Zion’s availability, the emergence of the rookies, and the development of players like Bey and Murphy offer hope for the future.
Still, it’s going to take more than flashes and potential to change the narrative. The final stretch of the season is about more than wins - it’s about identity, growth, and figuring out who’s part of the solution moving forward.