Pelicans' Top-3 Games Of 2023-2024
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans revealed their schedule for the upcoming season this past week, and fans began dissecting matchups, road trips, and home stands. A few highlights include two six-game home stands and 12 nationally televised games for the Pelicans. New Orleans looks to improve their 42-40 record from a season ago. Here are the top 3 matchups for the 2023-2024 season.
Denver Nuggets, Nov. 6, 2023
New Orleans gets an early crack at the defending NBA champion Nuggets when they visit the Mile High City on Nov. 6. These teams split the season series 2-2 last season, with Zion Williamson only appearing in one game. In their first matchup, Jose Alvarado scored a career-high 38 points off the bench in the Pelicans' 121-106 victory in New Orleans. That point total marked the most points scored by an undrafted player in franchise history.
Nikola Jokic is the engine that makes the Nuggets engine run, and he proved his dominance versus the Pelicans last year. In the three games against New Orleans, he averaged 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. To be the best, you need to beat the best. The Pelicans get their chance early in the season.
Los Angeles Lakers, Dec. 31, 2023
What's better than a home game in New Orleans on New Year's Eve? A matchup versus the Los Angeles Lakers in the Smoothie King Center. Besides the return of Anthony Davis again to New Orleans, the Lakers were a team who made the Western Conference Championship round last season. The NBA can spin a Zion Williamson-LeBron James matchup a million ways, provided Zion is healthy enough to play. Williamson has only faced the Lakers five times in his career.
Nov 2, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and guard Lonnie Walker IV (4) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles took three of four games from the Pelicans last year, but these teams only play three times this season. Brandon Ingram especially likes this matchup against his former team. In the 12 games he's played since being traded to New Orleans, Ingram has averaged 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists. The Lakers are where the Pelicans want to be. New Orleans will be able to see how they match up this season.
Phoenix Suns, Jan. 19, 2024
A couple of years ago, this looked like a burgeoning NBA rivalry. These teams played a hard-fought six-game series in the first round of the playoffs. Things got chippy with Suns guard Chris Paul and Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado, and even the usually mild-tempered Brandon Ingram had words for Paul. Last season's things ratcheted up even higher with a dust-up after Zion Williamson's 360 windmill highlight dunk to end a game.
Unfortunately, we never got a playoff re-do as injuries derailed the Pelicans' season, and they missed the playoffs. Chris Paul was traded to the Washington Wizards this offseason (and then the Golden State Warriors). The new-look Phoenix Suns include Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant, who were acquired late last year. Phoenix figures to be in the mix at the top of the Western Conference. A healthy Pelicans squad can make for an exciting matchup.
