The New Orleans Pelicans can’t execute in the clutch, and it has been holding them back for years.
The NBA defines clutch time as “the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points.”
New Orleans continues to fall in these moments, and there are several reasons why.
For one, their offense often becomes stagnant during these crucial late-game moments, resulting in low-percentage shots and frustrating turnovers.
Poor coaching contributes to their late-game struggles.
While Pelicans head coach Willie Green is known to have a good rapport with the players during his tenure in New Orleans thus far, his inability to draw up effective plays in clutch moments is holding this young team back.
This is all from a fan’s perspective. But do the statistics back up this observation? Let’s find out.
Stats Don’t Lie
In the 2023-2024 season, the Pelicans had a -32 point differential in the fourth quarter, ranking 24th in the NBA. You can’t go far in the playoffs when you can’t deliver in crunch time, especially at the end of close gamesu
They are no strangers to blowing leads either.
This past season alone, they blew 13 fourth-quarter leads, the 18th most in the NBA. For reference, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are on a completely different wavelength than the Pelicans, only had five.
This stat looks even worse when you take into account that they were not in the position to win games most of the time.
These statistics show just how far away the Pelicans are from competing with the top teams in the league.
Crucial Moments
A microcosm of the Pelicans’ late-game struggles was when CJ McCollum missed the potential game-winning shot in Game 1 of the first round of the 2024 playoffs against the Thunder.
This was the closest the Pelicans came to winning a game in the series before they were ultimately swept in disappointing fashion.
Plays like this occur all too often in these crucial moments. Instead of drawing up a set play to get an open look, McCollum dribbled down the clock and shot a low-percentage, contested three.
In another infuriating moment that reflects their inability to close out games, they squandered a six-point lead with only 11 seconds left in an important divisional match-up against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2023-24 season.
This type of collapse is a common theme in the Willie Green era of Pelicans basketball.
Will Willie Green Change His Ways?
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. Green has fallen into this fan-deflating pattern as isolation plays are still their go-to strategy with the game on the line, even when it’s clearly not working.
Green is in the last year of his contract, and newly appointed President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars does not owe him anything. The bottom line is that if the Pelicans continue to struggle late in games, his hot seat will get even hotter.
What Needs to Happen Going Forward?
One fix? Get an established point guard, a true floor general.
This will keep the offense organized in these crucial moments, while also making life easier for Zion Williamson.
CJ McCollum has not proven to be an effective primary ball handler, and someone needs to handle the facilitating duties while Dejounte Murray recovers from his torn Achilles.
Most importantly, there needs to be more structure within the offense, especially in late-game situations. Designing set plays will put your players in positions to succeed and will allow the team to find its rhythm in critical moments.
Whether it’s some off-ball screen action or dribble-handoffs with a screen, the options are plentiful.
Looking Ahead
Patience is running thin within the fan base, and changes could be coming if the team doesn’t turn things around, especially in close games. Few things are more frustrating to fans than blown leads, and repeatedly coming up empty in the clutch is one of them.
If the Pelicans want to compete with the top teams in the Western Conference, a change in their philosophy during clutch time is non-negotiable. The lack of structure, over-reliance on isolation scoring, and inability to perform under pressure have defined the Pelicans in the Willie Green era. With Zion Williamson in his prime, the window to win is now.
As for Green, adapt or die. That may be harsh, but that’s the reality of today’s NBA. Whether it’s a new offensive scheme, better end-game play-calling, or a new voice leading the coaching staff, something has to give.
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