The New Orleans Pelicans must make a decision on their identity before it’s too late

The New Orleans Pelicans have started the 2025-26 season 0-2, following losses to the Memphis Grizzlies 128-122 on opening night and to the San Antonio Spurs 120-116 tonight. Both these games, the Pelicans had total control of, but failed to execute down the stretch.

Despite losing the season opener and now the home opener, both games have been fun to watch, with tons of highlights and exciting moments. However, the Pelicans need to start asking themselves whether they are okay with just being a fun young team or want to be a real playoff contender this season.

If they decide they wanna be a playoff team this year, they must start rebounding the basketball. Too many times tonight, the Spurs put up a shot, and all five Pelicans players were just watching the ball instead of getting low and boxing out their man. Mishaps like this can’t happen, especially against a team with two monster seven-footers in Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet.

San Antonio out-rebounded New Orleans 59 to 45, 20 of which were on the offensive glass, resulting in 26 second-chance points. This type of stuff is just downright unacceptable from a team that appears to have playoff aspirations.

Rebounding wasn’t the only problem

The other thing this team needs to do better is execute down the stretch on both ends of the floor. At the end of the fourth quarter, Zion Williamson nailed a midrange fade to give the Pels the 106-104 lead, then on the following defensive possession, Trey Murphy III gave Stephon Castle a wide-open three. No screens were coming, no pressure. He just gave him the three. If the Pels played good defense there, they would have ended the night victorious.

To give the Pelicans credit, they got a stop on the next defensive possession, forcing OT. Then early into overtime Williamson drove to the basket and Wembanyama picked up his 6th foul ending his night. With the Spurs’ best player’s night done, the Pelicans must have capitalized, right? Wrong.

In OT, they couldn’t execute shooting 4 for 11 from the field, which playoff-level teams don’t do, especially when they get a defensive monster like Wemby to foul out.

I understand we are just two games into an 82-game season, but if this team wants any shot at the play-in tournament or the playoffs, execution late game needs to improve. Guys can’t just dribble out most of the clock when they have the ball, expecting someone to get open. If you have the ball, you have to make something happen if you can’t get rid of it earlier.

There’s zero doubt in my mind that this team can eventually look like a playoff team this season, with more reps and chemistry, their execution together is going to improve. But, if they wanna be a playoff team this season, they must improve their execution soon. Monday against a depleted Boston Celtics team is a great opportunity to do that.