Pelicans Face Pivotal 2026 Offseason
After a 49-win season and first-round exit, New Orleans must chart a new course.
8 seed in the Western Conference. Their playoff run ended quickly with a first-round loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. That exit exposed roster gaps that now define the franchise's outlook.
The Pelicans showed regular-season grit, but the Thunder series highlighted a lack of consistent secondary scoring and interior defense. Injuries also played a role, yet the core—led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram—remains intact. The question is whether that core can elevate in the postseason.
