New Orleans Pelicans: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

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.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active NBA PPG leaders' quiz

How many of the active NBA players to average at least 20 points-per-game can you name in five minutes?

The 'Three Point Era 30-point game leaders' quiz

The 'NBA Finals MVPs' quiz

The 'Teammates with 30+ points in one NBA Conference Finals game' quiz

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.

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.

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.

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.

New Orleans Pelicans 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.

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.

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

The '2025-26 bowl game host cities' quiz

The 'Active NBA PPG leaders' quiz

The 'Oldest 4,000-passing-yard seasons' quiz

The 'Most passing yards by an NFL rookie' quiz

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.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / December 11

NBA Rookie of the Year Rankings: Where Are Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears?

Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears have been two of the brightest spots for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. As exciting as it is two have two potential future offensive stars, it's important to take a look at their place in the rookie hierarchy.

Trey Murphy News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / December 11

Pelicans' Trey Murphy's Improved Defense Makes Him an Elite Wing

One would be hard-pressed to find many positives from the New Orleans Pelicans season amid a 3-22 start. Trey Murphy III’s play should be seen as a bright light, but it isn’t necessarily what many think it is.

New Orleans Pelicans News / New Orleans Pelicans on SI / December 10

Pelicans Should Only Make 2 Players Untouchable in Trade Talks

The New Orleans Pelicans are forced to focus on their future rather than the present after a horrible 3-22 start to the season. Even though the front office has yet to engage in trade discussions according to the latest reports, it is only a matter of time that they will come to their senses.

New Orleans Pelicans News / NBA Analysis Network / December 10

Pelicans rookie Derik Queen has already shown why it’s time to trade Zion Williamson

The New Orleans Pelicans have found a star in rookie Derik Queen. Derik Queen was drafted with the 13th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Although some questioned the New Orleans Pelicans’ decision, the rookie has silenced his critics.

New Orleans Pelicans News / NBA Draft on SI / December 10

Could Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen Turn the Pelicans Around?

The New Orleans Pelicans have the NBA's worst record with just three wins compared to 22 losses. Now more than ever this decade, the franchise appears headed for a complete rebuild.

New Orleans Pelicans News / The SportsRush / December 10

'Need to Trade Zion Williamson ASAP': Kendrick Perkins Believes Pelicans Have Their Next Star in Rookie Sensation

There are some bad teams in the NBA, but right now there are none worse than the New Orleans Pelicans with a ghastly 3-22 record in the West. Although, they on the fast track for the best lottery odds, they no longer own their own pick after trading it to the Atlanta Hawks to move up and select Derik Queen in June.