The New Orleans Pelicans may not have made a big splash at the trade deadline, but they’ve quietly found something that’s working-and it starts with a supersized lineup and a renewed commitment to defense. With Herb Jones back in the rotation, head coach James Borrego has leaned into a bigger, more physical starting five built around Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III.
The early returns? Promising.
Over their last seven games, the Pelicans have strung together three wins-not exactly headline-grabbing, but considering where this team has been, it might be their most encouraging stretch in over a year. And while it’s tempting to focus on what they didn’t do at the deadline, there’s a case to be made that standing pat was the right call. The numbers-and the eye test-suggest this group is starting to gel.
Borrego, now 3-4 in this recent stretch, isn’t shy about what’s changed. “The defense has moved significantly,” he said.
“It’s more switchable. It’s more size, more physicality on the ball.”
He’s not wrong. The Pelicans have gone from a team that struggled to contain dribble penetration to one that’s suddenly able to hold its ground at the point of attack. With four, sometimes five, switchable defenders on the floor, New Orleans is keeping the ball in front, contesting shots, and protecting the paint in ways they simply weren’t earlier in the season.
And it’s not just about effort-it’s about execution. One of the clearest signs that Borrego’s system is taking hold is the improved ball security.
Since shifting to the new starting lineup, the Pelicans are averaging just 10.1 turnovers per game, best in the league over that span. That’s a stark improvement from their season average of 14.1, which ranked ninth overall.
Cutting out nearly one turnover per quarter might not sound like much, but it adds up-especially when you consider what those turnovers were costing them.
Before the lineup change, New Orleans was giving up 18.2 points per game off turnovers, ranking in the bottom half of the league. Over the last seven games, that number has dropped to 13.9, good for third-best in the NBA. Fewer giveaways mean fewer transition chances for opponents, which has allowed the Pelicans to get their half-court defense set more consistently-and that’s where the size and physicality really pay off.
Rebounding has also taken a step forward. Traditionally a middle-of-the-pack team on the glass, the Pelicans have bumped their average from 43.7 boards per game (17th) to 45.9 (10th) during this stretch. That’s not just a stat-it’s a reflection of the team’s increased activity and discipline on both ends.
And then there’s the rim protection. This is where the transformation has been most dramatic.
Opponents were scoring 52.7 points in the paint per game against New Orleans earlier this season, a number that ranked 24th in the league. Over the last seven games?
That figure has dropped to 44.3-sixth-best in the NBA. The Pelicans are also swatting 6.1 shots per game during this run, up from 4.7 on the season.
That leap from 18th to 5th in blocks per game isn’t just about effort-it’s about positioning, timing, and trust on the back line.
One thing that hasn’t changed is their ability to generate steals. New Orleans has been among the league’s best in that category all year, and they’ve maintained that level with 9.4 steals per game over the last seven contests. That consistency speaks to the team’s active hands and anticipation, two traits that have become staples of this new-look defense.
Zooming out, the advanced metrics back up what we’re seeing. The Pelicans’ Defensive Rating has improved from 118.4 (27th) to 114.3 (17th), a four-point swing that reflects the team’s overall growth.
Opponent Effective Field Goal Percentage has also improved, dropping from 56.4% (28th) to 54.4% (18th). These aren’t just cosmetic changes-they’re signs of a team finding its identity.
Of course, questions remain. Can this oversized lineup hold up against elite shooting teams that can stretch the floor and exploit mismatches?
That’s still to be seen. But what’s clear is that the Pelicans have found a defensive foundation to build on.
In a season that’s lacked consistency, that’s no small thing.
For now, Zion Williamson and company have something they haven’t had in a while: structure, clarity, and a system that fits. And in a Western Conference that’s still wide open behind the top tier, that might be enough to keep them in the mix.