The New Orleans Pelicans tip off their 2025-26 home schedule Friday night with a marquee matchup.
The San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama come to town, fresh off the French big man’s spectacular 40-point, 15-rebound masterpiece against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
It’ll be the first game of any kind at the Smoothie King Center for this new iteration of the Pelicans.
“I definitely look forward to playing at the crib,” forward Zion Williamson said Wednesday night after the Pels’ 128-122 loss to the Grizzlies in Memphis, Tennessee. “I hope the city comes out (and) brings the energy, because we’re looking to put on a show and have fun.”
One could argue the Pelicans need to put on a show. After slogging through a demoralizing, injury-plagued 21-61 campaign a year ago, the club desperately needs a fast start to generate enthusiasm and regain the confidence of its fan base.
Team officials overhauled the roster and basketball operations in the offseason with the intent of reversing the team’s downward trajectory. The opening loss to Memphis didn’t help matters, but the Pels played without Dejounte Murray, Kevon Looney and Karlo Matkovic because of injuries but were competitive until the end.
That’s all new director of basketball operations Joe Dumars is asking of this team — at least for now.
“If we play as hard as we can play every night, we’re gonna get enough wins where we’re gonna be happy,” he said before the start of camp. “I expect our team to play hard every night. I expect no less and I will accept no less from them.”
Effort is a great place to start. But obviously, it needs to lead to wins at some point. The Pelicans can’t afford another lost season. Not while Williamson is still in his prime.
This is Year 7 of the Zion era. The former Duke standout has made two All-Star Games but has yet to play in a single playoff game. It’s past time for him, and the Pelicans, to start realizing his vast potential. This season pretty much revolves around him, his health and his matured mindset.
So far, so good.
“Zion has been great,” Dumars said. “I feel good about how everyone has come together to try to right the ship here and get us headed in the right direction.”
Zion and the Pels need a big year for a less conspicuous reason.
Pelicans governor Gayle Benson and Gov. Jeff Landry will begin negotiations soon on a long-term lease extension at the Smoothie King Center. The deal is expected to include plans to renovate the arena and re-engineer and reimagine the Champions Square entertainment complex. It also likely will include an enticing fringe benefit: another NBA All-Star Game for New Orleans.
Dumars, Williamson and the rest of the Pels don’t need any extra pressure to win, but a successful season would make things easier for team officials to get things done in Baton Rouge.
Heaven knows, local sports fans could use something positive to cheer about.
The football season hasn’t exactly been one to celebrate so far. The Saints are 1-6 and headed for another losing season, their fifth consecutive without a playoff appearance.
LSU is winning, but not nearly as much as fans would like or expect. The Tigers are foundering in Year 4 of the Brian Kelly era and many fans are flummoxed.
Tulane is sitting at 6-1 and remains alive in the College Football Playoff hunt, but the Green Wave has not looked nearly as dominant as year’s past. Tulane is winning, which is a tribute to coach Jon Sumrall and his staff, but it won’t be for long unless it starts playing considerably better on both sides of the ball.
Like never before, the Pelicans have a chance to capture the market, to engage the casual New Orleans sports fan and deliver some much-needed hope and optimism. Likewise, Zion has a chance to become the face of New Orleans sports, delivering on the mantle Drew Brees ceded to him several years ago when he retired.
The opportunity is there if Zion and the Pelicans can take advantage of it.
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