The New Orleans Pelicans have finally put a little life into their season, but three straight wins only matter if they lead somewhere. After stumbling out of the gate with four losses, New Orleans has clawed back to 3-4 heading into Wednesday night’s game against the Utah Jazz.
That’s a step forward. The real question is whether it’s a real one.
This is the kind of stretch that can fool a team if it isn’t careful. The Pelicans have looked better, sure, but Wednesday gives them another chance to prove this isn’t just a hot run against beatable competition. Utah is the next test, and it should tell a lot about whether New Orleans is actually settling into something more stable.
One reason for the improved feel is that Jamahl Mosley seems to be getting closer to a rotation that makes sense. Early on, the criticism around his lineup choices was hard to miss.
New Orleans had enough talent and depth to mix and match, but the pieces never looked fully connected. The recent starting group of Jeremiah Fears, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson and Karlo Matković at least gives the Pelicans a clearer shape.
That lineup has a little of everything. Fears can run the offense.
Murphy brings scoring from the perimeter. Herb Jones handles the defensive work.
Zion puts pressure on the rim. Matković adds size and an interior presence with Yves Missi still out.
It isn’t a finished formula, but it’s easier to understand than what New Orleans was throwing out there in the opening week.
And as always, the whole thing starts with Zion Williamson. When he plays with force and discipline, the Pelicans become a different team.
He doesn’t need to chase highlight plays. He needs to keep making the right ones.
That means attacking mismatches, forcing the defense to collapse, and trusting the pass when opponents crowd the paint.
That assignment looks especially manageable against Utah’s depleted frontcourt. The Jazz are dealing with significant injuries, including absences involving Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkić. That should open the door for New Orleans to do damage inside, where Zion and the Pelicans’ interior attack can set the tone.
Still, the Pelicans already know this Jazz team can make things messy. Utah beat New Orleans 120-119 on October 23, and that one-point loss is a good reminder that record alone doesn’t decide anything.
The Jazz are 1-6, but they still have weapons. Lauri Markkanen can punish mistakes, and Keyonte George can create pressure on offense.
If New Orleans gets loose defensively or sloppy with the ball, Utah has enough to turn this into a fight.
So the checklist is pretty clear for the Pelicans. Win the battle inside.
Stay sharp on the perimeter, where Herb Jones and the rest of the defense have to keep Utah from getting comfortable early. And, maybe most importantly, close the game with the same control they’ve shown in this three-game run.
That’s the real test here. The wins have changed the mood around New Orleans, but they haven’t changed the bigger picture yet.
Wednesday night is about more than trying to make it four in a row. It’s about showing that the version of the Pelicans that started 0-4 is no longer the one showing up.
In Other News...
Pelicans Could Get A Needed Offensive Boost Against Utah
The Pelicans head into their matchup with Utah with a little more offensive help on the way, and that matters for a team still trying to find its rhythm early in the season. Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole are both on the injury report, but the encouraging part for New Orleans is that each is listed as probable, giving the club a better chance to add some scoring punch and shot creation against the Jazz.
Murphy has been dealing with patella tendinopathy, while Poole is managing ankle tendinopathy, but neither issue appears likely to keep them out. For a Pelicans offense that can use every extra option it can get, having both available would give the rotation more flexibility and another layer of pressure on Utah's defense. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Suddenly Have A Dejounte Murray Decision They Can't Ignore
The Pelicans have steadied themselves with three straight wins after opening 0-4, and Jeremiah Fears has been a big reason the offense has looked more settled during Dejounte Murrays absence. Fears has handled a larger role at the point, giving New Orleans a different rhythm and a clearer sense of what the rotation can look like when the ball is moving through him more often.
Murray is expected back soon, and his return brings an unavoidable roster question for a team trying to build continuity while also keeping an eye on trade possibilities. New Orleans has to decide how to balance two guards who can both handle the offense, and whether the best path forward is simply restoring the old look or finding a way to keep the current momentum intact while adding the right complementary pieces. [Read more 🡒]