It’s still very early in the 2026-27 regular season, but New Orleans is facing what could be perceived as a critical stretch in pursuit of the team’s stated goal – reaching the playoffs in the spring. At 4-7 overall, six of the next seven Pelicans games are against opponents that currently sport winning records, including four in the Smoothie King Center during a five-game homestand. Following this handful of games in the Blender, New Orleans visits Western Conference heavyweights Oklahoma City and San Antonio during a Nov. 20-21 back-to-back.
A brief look at the five teams coming to the Blender over the next eight nights:
Wednesday vs. Brooklyn (2-8), 7 p.m.
Relying heavily on draft picks from the past two offseasons and a few proven veterans, the Nets are the only Pelicans opponent between now and Thanksgiving that has fewer than four wins.
Friday vs. Memphis (7-3), 7 p.m. (NBA Cup)
Arguably the league’s biggest positive surprise, the Grizzlies started 6-0 before losing in OT to the Pelicans on Nov. 2. Memphis ended a three-game losing streak Monday at Toronto.
Saturday vs. Denver (5-4), 6 p.m.
An up-and-down Nuggets start – no winning streak longer than two games – has been boosted by a pair of victories over the Pelicans, including a big Oct. 24 second-half comeback in Ball Arena.
Monday vs. Golden State (8-3), 7 p.m.
The Pelicans should be looking to answer a 51-point defeat Monday in Chase Center to the Warriors, who’ve won eight straight contests after an 0-3 start.
Nov. 18 vs. Detroit (7-3), 7 p.m.
Third in the East at this early stage behind only Boston and Philadelphia, the Pistons are 4-1 on the road, with the only defeat coming in Madison Square Garden.
Notes from Wednesday’s morning shootaround:
New Orleans sixth-year wing Herb Jones on the team’s response to Monday’s one-sided loss: “Flushing it. Going back to the film, trying to find as many positives as we can and go on to the next (game).” …
Five days ago, the Pelicans were riding a four-game winning streak and at .500 overall. As Jones noted, they then experienced one of the realities of the league when a team performs poorly. “It’s the NBA,” Jones said, referring to the Monday drubbing. “Sometimes you get got. I guess that was just not our night (at Golden State).”
Offensive efficiency (rank): 105.6 (28)
Defensive efficiency (rank): 114.8 (22)
Net rating (rank): -9.1 (25)
Streak: Lost 2 (at Atlanta, at Dallas)
Go-to guy: Michael Porter Jr. is Brooklyn’s top scorer (21.5 ppg) and has led the Nets in point production in each of their last three games. The elite jump-shooter spent his first six NBA seasons with Denver, a key piece to the Nuggets’ 2023 championship team.
On the rise: Second-year guard Egor Demin enjoyed a promising summer league and preseason, before sustaining a leg injury that sidelined him each of the last six games. However, Demin is listed as probable to return to action Wednesday.
In the clutch: The Nets are 0-3 in clutch games, one of three NBA squads with no clutch victories (Clippers and Sacramento are the others). All three tight Brooklyn defeats were on the road against Eastern Conference teams coming off a playoff appearance (Cleveland, Boston, Atlanta).
Three-point attack: Brooklyn is middle of the pack in perimeter marksmanship, ranking No. 12 in average makes (13.8) and No. 10 in average attempts (40.1), while 19th in percentage (34.4).
Previous Game Starting Lineups
Nolan Traore, Danny Wolf, Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, Day’Ron Sharpe
Notes: Demin (leg bone bruise) is probable. Traore (calf) and rookie guard Mikel Brown (illness) are questionable. … Brooklyn’s victories were at Indiana and vs. Charlotte. … The Nets rank third in total points scored by second-year players with 261. The Pelicans, led by a pair of 2025 lottery picks, are second with 310. Dallas leads the league (343), thanks largely to star forward Cooper Flagg. … Brooklyn is 0-2 on its current four-game road trip. The Nets will have two days off from games before concluding this excursion Saturday at Memphis, which is also the Pelicans’ next opponent.
Monday loss at Golden State
Jeremiah Fears, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey, Karlo Matkovic
Notes: After being sidelined against the Warriors, Trey Murphy (patellar tendinopathy) is doubtful. Zion Williamson (rest at Golden State) is not listed on the injury report. … Starting center Yves Missi (knee) is out, most recently playing Oct. 23 at Utah. … Trendon Watford (ankle) provided the Pelicans with quality minutes during their four-game win streak, but is also listed as out Wednesday. Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) had his status changed to out this morning … Over the final three weeks of November, New Orleans only has two games scheduled against the East, including tonight and Nov. 18 vs. Detroit. … The Nets lead the Pelicans 26-24 in the all-time series, winning three of the last four matchups.