The New Orleans Pelicans open their 2026-27 NBA regular season at home against the Indiana Pacers on October 21, following a preseason that offered glimpses of potential. They enter the year with a win total projection of 27.5 and significant questions about how their roster fits together. The team's final preseason test was a 107-106 victory over the Washington Wizards on October 16.
After finishing the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record and missing the playoffs, the Pelicans enter this campaign ranked 27th in preseason power rankings. The offseason saw them add veterans like DeAndre Jordan and Bennedict Mathurin while extending Saddiq Bey. But the core challenge remains. Zion Williamson played 62 games last year and the team still struggled badly. Analyst Kevin O'Connor notes the roster has "mismatched parts," with Fears, Williamson, and Derik Queen all preferring to operate in the paint, which could clog spacing.
All eyes are on second-year guard Jeremiah Fears. He earned an All-Rookie spot after averaging 30 points on 60% true shooting over his final six games last season. In the preseason, he started for Dejounte Murray and averaged 13 points in 19 minutes while shooting over 54% from three-point range. How he meshes with Williamson, who dominates the paint, and floor-spacer Trey Murphy III will be critical. Fantasy analyst Dan Titus points out the battle between Mathurin's scoring and Herb Jones's defense on the wing, with Jones's health a constant concern.
The Pelicans showed some fight, winning three of their four exhibition games. After a loss to Miami on October 8, they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-110 on October 6 and the Dallas Mavericks 101-97 on October 14 before the close win over Washington. These wins, while not counting in the standings, provided valuable minutes for new combinations. Steve Jones of The Ringer wonders if the team's "fun lineups" can sustain their energy for a full 48-minute game night after night.
The real test begins immediately. The Pelicans tip off the regular season on October 21 against the Pacers at home, then face a quick road back-to-back at Utah on October 23 and at Denver on October 24. That opening week will be a brutal early indicator of this team's resilience. The front office, led by Joe Dumars, is under pressure to prove this collection of talent can translate to wins. The best-case scenario, per analysts, sees the Pelicans flirting with the play-in tournament if Fears and Queen make big leaps. Fans can track the team's progress through the early gauntlet on our schedule page.
