Pelicans Unveil 2024-25 NBA Season Plans
Basketball fans in New Orleans have a new calendar to mark, as the Pelicans just announced the full slate for their 2024-25 NBA schedule. There’s a tangible sense of anticipation—maybe even a bit of defiance—after the rough road they traveled last season. Kicking off with back-to-back showdowns against the Chicago Bulls, then the Portland Trail Blazers at home, the team hopes a few early wins might set a better tone.
The opening month is stacked. After the October 23rd tip-off with the Bulls, the team welcomes the Trail Blazers twice in three days—a compact start that leaves little room to ease in. Fans will also circle March 28 for the Milwaukee Bucks’ visit and April 14 for a marquee showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers, which will mark their final home game. These aren’t just ordinary matchups; they’re the ones that tend to define a season, give players a shot at redemption, and spark rivalries that make NBA nights electric.
Tough Year Behind, Hope Ahead
Last season was, frankly, brutal. The Pelicans finished with a 21-61 record, putting them 14th in the Western Conference. A lot went wrong, from injuries to a string of near-misses in tight games. But that doesn’t mean fans stayed home. They watched hard-fought battles—like the 98-94 nail-biter win over the Hornets and a heartbreaker against the Bucks where the team almost clawed their way back. It’s one thing to lose, but it’s another to go down swinging, and the Pelicans embodied that under coach Willie Green.
New Orleans’ playoff hopes officially faded after a March 13 loss to the Orlando Magic—one of those nights where everything felt just out of reach, even with the crowd trying to will them over the finish line. Despite the early exit, the team managed to keep some games competitive, showing flashes of what might be coming if they can stay healthy and gel as a unit. The Southwest Division will be no cakewalk, but owner Gayle Benson and GM Bryson Graham are doubling down on young talent they hope will stick around and thrive.
This season also marks a big shift in how fans will tune in to games. The franchise ended its long relationship with Bally Sports New Orleans, turning to the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network for broadcasting. On-court play isn’t the only thing undergoing a shake-up—the front office is working hard to keep fans in the loop, with tickets for big matchups against the Raptors, Rockets, and Spurs now available through official partners.
With opening night just around the corner, excitement is high, stakes are clear, and for the Pelicans, the only direction left is up. The city’s waiting to see if a new era might finally take flight at the Smoothie King Center.