The Time Is Now For The New Orleans Pelicans

The current four-game homestand may make or break the Pelicans' playoff hopes.

NEW ORLEANS - The time is now for the New Orleans Pelicans. A reporter asked Willie Green about a "sense of urgency" with the team Wednesday night. Without hesitation, Coach Green looked and definitively answered, "Yes." Only 16 games remain, and the Pelicans understand there is little time left. 

New Orleans sits at No. 10 in the Western Conference standings with a 32-34 record. Less than three months ago, this scenario seemed unfathomable as they were the top seed in the Western Conference boasting a top-five offense and defense. Today the team ranks 20th in offensive rating and 9th defensively. 

Jan 7, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; (from left) New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson and forward Brandon Ingram watch the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New Orleans Pelicans at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

THE INJURIES AND STRUGGLES

Injuries, most notably, have played a factor in the Pelicans' fall from the top of the standings. Brandon Ingram missed 29 straight games with a toe injury. Zion Williamson has only played in 29 games this season due to multiple injuries. The hamstring is the latest setback that still has him sidelined. Overall, the Pelicans' starters have missed a combined 98 games this season. 

New Orleans has also struggled mightily on the road, especially against teams with winning records. Their road record sits at 11-23, the second-fewest road wins for any team in the Top 10 in the conference. 

They have lost 15 straight road games to teams over .500 and have the 3rd worst home-to-road record disparity behind the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors. 

Apr 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) moves the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

THE ROAD AHEAD

Road games against the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves will be challenging for the Pelicans. All these teams' records are above .500 and better than New Orleans in the standings. A split of these four road games is pivotal down the stretch. 

The good news for the Pelicans is 9 of their final 16 games are at home. Of those nine games, five are against teams with losing records that New Orleans has feasted on at home this season. The Pelicans have a 70% winning percentage against losing teams this year. Also, they will face the tanking Houston Rockets twice on the road, so the schedule works out in their favor. 

Mar 1, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; New Orleans Pelicans small forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots the ball during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

THE FINAL STRETCH RUN

The remainder of the games is up to them to capitalize during this final stretch. Under vastly different circumstances last season, the team found a similar scenario in front of them. They had 16 games remaining to fight for their playoff lives. New Orleans responded by going 11-5 in that run and winning two Play-In games to make the playoffs. 

Similar circumstances require the Pelicans to win this season versus a jumbled Western Conference, whose fifth to tenth seeds have less than a two-game difference.  

A winning streak could propel the Pels up the standings, while a losing streak could knock them out. The stakes are high for New Orleans. 

Now is the time to win. 

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