New Orleans Pelicans Announce 2023-2024 Season Schedule
New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans unveiled their schedule for the upcoming season on Thursday afternoon. Their season opener will be on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 25. Their home opener takes place on Oct. 28 versus the New York Knicks.
New Orleans plays 10 of their first 15 games at home in the Smoothie King Center to open the season. The Pelicans were near the top of the Western Conference in home wins a year ago, posting a 27-14 record in the Big Easy. Similar success this year could see New Orleans getting off to a fast start at the beginning of the year.
The Pelicans play 12 nationally televised games, including two against the Golden State Warriors and the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat. Their schedule also includes games for the inaugural NBA In-Season tournament, beginning on Nov. 10.
The season features 13 back-to-back games this season, but the Pelicans have two 6-game homestands on the year. Their longest road trip is a five-game stretch in January. The Pelicans will be weekend warriors at home, with almost half of their home games (19) being played on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
New Orleans doesn't get the usual four-time matchup with some premier Western Conference opponents. For instance, they play the defending champion Denver Nuggets, the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Phoenix Suns three times each this year.
While it's hard to predict how any team will do this year, the Pelicans set themselves up for success early in the year with the bevy of home games to start the season. Health will play a major factor with this team for the 2023-2024 season, and getting off to a hot start can provide some cushion later on in the season if an injury occurs.