New Orleans Pelicans: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

James Borrego's Brave Derik Queen Decision Pays Off vs. Bulls

The New Orleans won their fifth game of the season on Sunday night, sweeping their season series against the Chicago Bulls. With Zion Williamson back after a six-game absence due to adductor strain and Jordan Poole playing in his second straight game, the Pelicans were healthier than they have been since the start of the season.

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Pelicans Find Rhythm in Chicago: Zion, Murphy III Lead Charge Past Bulls 114-104

It wasn’t pretty for the Pelicans, and for long stretches, it certainly wasn’t graceful. But when you’re sitting at the bottom of the standings trying to relearn how to win, style points don’t matter nearly as much as the final score.

Zion Williamson News / Field Level Media / December 14

Zion Williamson helps Pelicans nab win in return against Bulls

Zion Williamson gave his New Orleans Pelicans teammates a taste of what they have been missing the last two weeks. Trey Murphy III, along with rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, showed Williamson what the team is capable of going forward.

Zion Williamson News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / December 14

Zion Williamson's Early Return Could Boost His Trade Value

Since being drafted to the NBA in 2019, the discourse around New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has been a frustrating cycle of breathtaking talent followed by crushing injuries.

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Zion Williamson News / Hoops Wire / December 13

Pelicans’ Zion Williamson could make early return, suit up Sunday

Zion Williamson is suddenly back in the picture, and sooner than almost anyone expected. Pelicans coach James Borrego said Williamson practiced Saturday and will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s game in Chicago, according to Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Which NBA teams have the best Christmas Day records?

Christmas and the NBA go hand-in-hand. The day serves for the top hoops league in the world, like Thanksgiving for the NFL. However, while the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are perpetual Thanksgiving participants, the NBA has mixed up the matchups and the teams throughout the years.

Zion Williamson News / Hoops Rumors / December 13

Zion Williamson Practices, Could Return Sunday

Pelicans head coach James Borrego said injured forward Zion Williamson practiced on Saturday and will be listed as questionable to suit up for Sunday’s game at Chicago, per Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com (Twitter link).

James Borrego News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / December 13

It's Time to Make James Borrego the Permanent Pelicans Head Coach

Only looking at the New Orleans Pelicans' record under him, it may be difficult to argue that James Borrego has been doing a good job as the interim head coach.

Jose Alvarado News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / December 12

Jose Alvarado Already Has a Contender Interested in Trading for Him

With the NBA trade season kicking off on December 15, when players who signed offseason deals become eligible to be traded, rumors are swirling around potential moves the 4-22 New Orleans Pelicans will make.

Trey Murphy News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / December 12

Pelicans Should Have No Interest in Trading Trey Murphy to the Warriors

The New Orleans Pelicans picked up their fourth win of the season on Thursday night after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 143-120. Trey Murphy III led all scorers with 24 points, as he continues his strong play in December.

Jordan Poole News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / December 12

Jordan Poole's Return Takes Pelicans' Offense to Another Level

Even though wins have been hard to come by for the New Orleans Pelicans this season, the offense has been looking much better under interim head coach James Borrego.

New Orleans Pelicans News / Hoops Wire / December 12

Rookies Derik Queen, Jeremiah Fears viewed as Pelicans untouchables

The Pelicans’ internal trade hierarchy appears to be shifting. According to Marc Stein of the Stein Line, New Orleans now views rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears as the most untouchable players on the roster.

New Orleans Pelicans News / NBA Draft on SI / December 12

Pelicans' Rookies Offering Hope of a Bright Future with Hot Start

On Thursday night, the New Orleans Pelicans rookies continued the transcendent start to their debut seasons. In a 23-point win over the Trail Blazers, the team’s rookies in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen were again spectacular, which is quickly becoming par for the course for the New Orleans newbies.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / December 12

Pelicans Are Making a Mistake by Not Already Selling on the Trade Market

The New Orleans Pelicans are more than a quarter through the season and already find themselves in the basement of the NBA at 4-22. Any hope coming into the year quickly vanished once the team got off to such a slow start that it led to the dismissal of their former head coach, Willie Green.

Jordan Poole News / Hardwood Heroics / December 12

'I Hated It' – New Orleans Pelicans Guard Gets Brutally Honest on Missing 16 Consecutive Games

Jordan Poole was one of the catalysts behind the New Orleans Pelicans’ 143-120 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night, which snapped their seven-game losing streak.

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New Orleans Pelicans News / Field Level Media / December 12

NBA roundup: Pelicans end 7-game slide with rout of Blazers

Trey Murphy III scored 24 points as the New Orleans Pelicans snapped a seven-game skid with a 143-120 win over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.

Jordan Poole News / Total Apex Sports / December 12

Poole’s Return Sparks Pelicans’ Historic Offensive Explosion Against Blazers 143-120

It had been nearly a month since the New Orleans Pelicans felt good about a basketball game. The locker room was quiet, the losses were piling up, and the frustration was mounting with every missed rotation and clanked rim.

NBA News / Field Level Media / December 11

Pelicans roll over Trail Blazers to end 7-game skid

Trey Murphy III scored 24 points as the New Orleans Pelicans snapped a seven-game skid with a 143-120 win over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.

Joe Dumars News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 11

Pelicans’ Joe Dumars gets why NBA world was wondering ‘what the f**k’ he was doing with draft-night trade

Joe Dumars understood the confusion the NBA world had towards the moves he made this past offseason for the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans was active throughout the 2025 NBA Draft, where they drafted Derik Queen while making trades with their draft picks.

Herbert Jones News / Hoops Wire / December 11

Pelicans not entertaining trade offers for Herbert Jones

The Pelicans aren’t entertaining offers for Herbert Jones, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, cooling off a storyline that has circulated around the NBA and inside Lakers circles for weeks.

Jordan Poole News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 11

Pelicans’ Jordan Poole gets significant injury upgrade for Blazers game

Jordan Poole has not played for the New Orleans Pelicans since Nov. 4 due to a left quad strain. Now, after missing over a month’s worth of action, it appears as if Poole could make his return on Thursday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Derik Queen News / Yardbarker / December 9