New Orleans Pelicans: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pelicans, Nuggets limp into first of two meetings in five days

Playing at high altitude can be hard for visiting teams, and it's even tougher when it's the second game of a back-to-back set. That's what the New Orleans Pelicans will face when they visit the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

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The Quiz of the Day

One Clear Positive and Negative From Pelicans' Close Loss vs. Jazz

Saddiq Bey scored 20 points on 12 shots Friday night. The Pelicans scored 119. That should have been enough to beat Utah. Instead, New Orleans allowed 34 fourth-quarter points in a 120-119 loss, wasting another productive night from Bey and another opportunity to get Jamahl Mosley his first victory as Pelicans coach.

Yves Missi News / Hoops Rumors / October 24

Pelicans’ Yves Missi Being Evaluated For Left Knee Injury

Third-year big man Yves Missi suffered a left knee injury about halfway through the second quarter of the Pelicans’ eventual loss to Utah on Friday, according to Matthew Coles of The Associated Press.

Zion Williamson News / Total Pro Sports / October 23

Massive NBA Trade Idea Involving Zion Williamson Could Turn The 2026-27 Season Upside Down

The Golden State Warriors might have a wild new way to give Stephen Curry another shot at an NBA championship. A huge trade idea floating around would bring Zion Williamson to Golden State in exchange for Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, and a protected first-round pick.

Giannis Antetokounmpo News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA 60-point scorers' quiz

Throughout NBA history, only 40 players have scored 60 or more points during an NBA regular-season game. How many of the 40 can you name in six minutes?

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'NBA franchise 30-point-game leaders' quiz

The '30-point, 10-rebound NBA game leaders' quiz

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / October 23

Pelicans Face Two Very Different Tests on First Road Trip of Season

Nearly half a century after the Jazz left New Orleans, the music still belongs to the city. The basketball team doesn't. On Friday, the Pelicans return to Salt Lake City, where they've won three straight, looking for their first victory of the season.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Every NBA team's X-factor for the 2026-27 season

Who is the X factor for every NBA player this season? We’re not talking about the go-to guy, like Nikola Jokic or Steph Curry. It could be a big-name player, an all-star, or a bench player, but they are the pivot point for their team.

Zion Williamson News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / October 23

Pelicans' Zion Williamson Problem Keeps Evolving in Year 8

For years, the New Orleans Pelicans have tried to build a roster around Zion Williamson. Now, they face a different challenge. They must find the best way to use him on a team that isn't built to maximize his strengths.

Karlo Matkovic News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / October 23

Karlo Matkovic's DNP in Pelicans Opener Is a Worrying Sign

The New Orleans Pelicans' 123-120 loss to the Indiana Pacers Wednesday night raised a few post-game questions. One notable one was the DNP-Coach’s Decision for forward Karlo Matkovic.

WNBA News

Fever undergo another major leadership change by parting ways with GM Amber Cox

Angel Reese and Atlanta Dream help WNBA Finals make history

Enes Kanter Freedom denied entry after refusing WNBA Finals suite

Angel Reese goes viral for postgame dance moves in WNBA Finals

Jordan Poole News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / October 22

Jordan Poole Only Hurt His Pelicans Outlook Further in Season Opener

Jordan Poole's biggest problem isn't that he missed all four of his shots in the New Orleans Pelicans' season opener. It's that he might not offer enough elsewhere to survive many nights like this.

NBA News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / October 22

Pelicans' Early Concerns Magnified Themselves in Loss vs. Pacers

The New Orleans Pelicans' 123-120 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night looked eerily similar to many of their losses last season. New Orleans found itself in a clutch game situation, and as last season, it couldn't overcome poor defense and questionable offensive decisions to close out the game.

Tyrese Haliburton News / Yardbarker / October 22

Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton has emotional reaction to long-awaited return

For the first time since Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers had their star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, on the floor in a meaningful game.

Tyrese Haliburton scores 23 in return as Pacers edge Pelicans

Anthony Davis delivers statement performance in Wizards debut

Hornets' Naz Reid makes franchise history in win over Nets

Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball shine in win over Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Heat

NBA GMs, experts agree Jazz will be among top three most-improved teams

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 best NBA players to never play in college

Typically, the path to the NBA for most players is to spend at least a season in college to get high-level basketball and important development under their belts.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / October 21

Pelicans' 25th Anniversary Should Also Inspire Some Changes

The best season in the history of New Orleans basketball is old enough to vote. Chris Paul throwing lobs to Tyson Chandler. David West getting to his spot in the post.

New Orleans Pelicans News / The Lead / October 21

Five Pelicans Players With Something to Prove This Season

With the NBA season here, the New Orleans Pelicans have a chance to build on a disappointing 2025-26 season and lay the foundation for a fun, competitive future.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'World Series managers' quiz

The 'Last 300-yard game by NFL team' quiz

The 'ALCS MVPs' quiz

The 'Most NBA games played' quiz

New Orleans Pelicans News / NBA on ClutchPoints / October 21

The Pelicans starter already on hot seat as he stares down monster matchups before Halloween

There is perhaps no tougher stress test to start the season than Yves Missi’s matchups through Halloween. Ivica Zubac, Jaren Jackson Jr., Nikola Jokic, and Domantas Sabonis are waiting.

Jordan Poole News / Lindy's Sports / October 21

Jordan Poole’s Business Moves: Nike, Dockers & AI

Jordan Poole arrived in New Orleans in June 2025, traded from Washington along with Saddiq Bey and a second-round pick in a deal that sent CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk to the Wizards.

Kobe Bufkin News / Hoops Rumors / October 21

Jazz To Sign Kobe Bufkin To Two-Way Contract

After being waived on Saturday by New Orleans, free agent guard Kobe Bufkin has agreed to sign a two-way contract with the Jazz, reports Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report and The Stein Line (Twitter link).

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / October 21

Predicting Every Pelicans Player's Minutes on Opening Night vs. Pacers

The New Orleans Pelicans showed that they were willing to defend this preseason. They also showed how little that improvement will matter if they cannot generate enough offense to support it.

Derik Queen News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / October 20

Derik Queen's Pelicans Preseason Was a Total Mixed Bag

Derik Queen's preseason offered the New Orleans Pelicans a familiar dilemma: solid production on the glass and too many questions everywhere else. Queen averaged a team-high 8.8 rebounds in 17.1 minutes across four games.

New Orleans Pelicans News / Hoops Rumors / October 20

Grizzlies Exercise Options On Fears, Queen, Missi

The Pelicans have exercised their team options on the 2027/28 contracts of Jeremiah Fears ($8.27MM), Derik Queen ($5.67MM) and Yves Missi ($5.6MM), Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reports.

New Orleans Pelicans News / Hoops Rumors / October 21

Pelicans Exercise Options On Fears, Queen, Missi

The Pelicans have exercised their team options for 2027/28 on Jeremiah Fears ($8.27MM), Derik Queen ($5.67MM) and Yves Missi ($5.6MM), Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports (Twitter link).

New Orleans Pelicans News / Hoops Rumors / October 17

Pelicans Waive Kobe Bufkin, Jalon Moore

The Pelicans announced that Kobe Bufkin and Jalon Moore have been placed on waivers, bringing the team down to the regular season roster limit. Selected by Atlanta with the 15th pick in the 2023 draft, Bufkin was hoping to revive his career with New Orleans.

NBA News / Hoops Wire / October 16

NBA Notes: Pelicans, Jordan Poole, Suns, Grizzlies, Zach Edey

Jordan Poole’s first season in New Orleans didn’t give either side much to celebrate. A new coaching staff offers a chance to change the conversation. New Pelicans coach Jamahl Mosley has liked Poole’s work during camp and preseason, according to Rod Walker of NOLA.com.

Hunter Dickinson News / Hoops Wire / October 15

Pelicans re-sign Hunter Dickinson

Hunter Dickinson is back with the Pelicans, though his next stop could be another season in the G League. New Orleans announced it has re-signed the 7-foot-1 center after waiving him from a two-way contract in August.

Joe Dumars News / Hoops Wire / October 13

Pelicans officially list Joe Dumars’ son as executive advisor

The Pelicans have made Jordan Dumars’ role a little more official. Jordan Dumars, the son of executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars, is now listed by the team as an “executive advisor,” as noted by Shamit Dua of In The NO.

Dejounte Murray News / Field Level Media / October 11

Pelicans being cautious with G Dejounte Murray’s toe contusion

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray is still dealing with a toe contusion and did not participate in Saturday's practice. The former All-Star played in the Pelicans' first preseason game, recording six points, six assists and four rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

NBA News / Yardbarker / October 1