Through the first week of the season, it looked like the Pelicans were on the same trajectory as last year. They lost each of their first four games, including multiple by one possession.
However, with some key adjustments, Jamahl Mosley’s team has found a second wind and has not lost a game since Oct. 28 when they fell to the Denver Nuggets 104-91.
After digging themselves into a 0-4 hole, how have the Pelicans managed to reassert themselves in the Western Conference?
Pelicans Are Learning How to Close Games
One of the main reasons the Pelicans had to wait until almost November to earn their first win was their inability to close games.
This is something Pelicans fans are reluctantly accustomed to, as over the past three seasons the Pelicans have been in the top half of the NBA in blown double-digit leads.
Despite a complete coaching overhaul, that trend looked like it was going to rear its ugly head again to start the 2026-27 season. Through the first four games, the Pelicans found themselves up double digits in two of them and lost both.
This includes a 141-135 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets that saw the Pelicans leading by 19 entering the fourth quarter.
However, early into November, the Pelicans have flipped this script by picking up two overtime wins, including a one-point thriller over the Memphis Grizzlies, who at the time were 6-0, and a 120-113 victory over the Utah jazz.
For the Pelicans, when a game enters crunch time there is no one person they look to, but rather a committee.
In the win over Memphis, Zion Williamson scored nine of the team’s 11 overtime points. Then in the game versus the Jazz, it was Saddiq Bey who did the heavy lifting in overtime.
Going by committee plays perfectly into Jamahl Mosley’s plan while closing games as defenses have cannot key in on one player.
“It creates confusion,” Mosley said following the Pelicans’ 121-99 vin over the Atlanta Hawks. “If you have guys who can get downhill and attack the basket, it creates confusion on who guards what.”
More Herb Jones Minutes
Another facet that plagued the Pelicans during their early season skid was their defense, or rather lack thereof.
During their 0-4 start, the Pelicans’ defensive rating sat at 118.2 which was 23rd in the NBA. However, during the team’s four-game win streak, their defensive rating has jumped up to 13th at 111.1.
This improvement did not just happen by chance. It happened because Herb Jones has seen significantly more playing time during the team’s win streak.
With a defensive-minded head coach coming to town in Jamahl Mosley, the thought was that Jones, being an All-Defensive player, would play a massive role for the team as just a season ago he started 56 games.
This, however, was not the case at all as through the first four games; Jones had only logged a career low 17 minutes per game and started none of them.
With the Pelicans’ early season defensive struggles, Mosley knew that he would have to find a way to get Jones on the hardwood.
“Herb is the ultimate professional,” Mosley said in a post-practice press conference. “Finding more time for him is going to be a priority for me.”
Early into his tenure as the Pelicans’ head coach, carving out a role for Jones is the best decision Mosley has made.
The Alabama native has played lock down defense on opponent’s top scorers while still contributing offensively as he can space the floor particularly in the corner.
With providing an impact on both ends of the floor, Jones has racked up a +85 plus-minus which is good for tenth in the entire NBA.
Since placing Jones back in the starting five, the Pelicans are undefeated and have risen from last in the Western Conference to 10th, which would be good for a post-season appearance.
The Pelicans will look to continue their momentum, going for a fifth straight win, when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Cup on Friday night.
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