The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Los Angeles on April 4 to take on the Lakers, bringing with them a 21-54 record that tells a tale of missed potential, shattered rotations, and relentless setbacks. It has been a season of turbulence in the Big Easy—one that started with optimism around Zion Williamson’s health and ended with fingers crossed just to survive 48 minutes without another name added to the injury report. The Pelicans are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, and now their only role is that of spoiler—an uncomfortable role for a team that just two seasons ago looked like an ascending Western Conference threat. Against the Lakers, they’ll have to battle not only an elite opponent but also their own inconsistencies and injury-depleted identity. Zion Williamson remains the Pelicans’ brightest light in an otherwise murky season. When healthy—and that caveat is doing a lot of work—he has continued to put up All-Star caliber numbers, including a 37-point performance in the previous meeting against L.A. on March 4. His ability to bulldoze into the paint and finish through contact remains nearly unmatched in the NBA. But the problem is, Zion often looks like a solo act. With Brandon Ingram and other key contributors missing time due to injury, and a supporting cast that’s struggled to fill the void, defenses can collapse on Zion with little consequence. It has rendered much of the Pelicans’ offense predictable, despite flashes from younger players and role guys trying to prove they belong in future plans. Offensively, New Orleans averages about 111 points per game—which sounds acceptable until you realize they give up nearly the same amount on the other end.

Their biggest issue has been perimeter defense and transition containment. When their communication falters, they’re prone to giving up massive scoring runs, especially against disciplined, star-laden offenses like the Lakers’. New Orleans also ranks poorly in road performance, both straight-up and against the spread, with a bleak 9-22 ATS road record on the season. They’ve often looked overwhelmed when playing in hostile environments, and Crypto.com Arena isn’t exactly a forgiving venue when the Lakers start clicking. That said, the Pelicans do have some young bright spots worth keeping an eye on. Trey Murphy III has emerged as a capable floor spacer and defender, and rookie Jordan Hawkins has shown enough promise to be considered part of the long-term core. But experience is lacking, and late-game execution has been a recurring Achilles’ heel for this squad. Whether it’s turnovers, missed rotations, or stagnant offense, New Orleans has too often unraveled in the final minutes of winnable games. So, while this matchup against the Lakers may seem lopsided, it offers something critical for the Pelicans: evaluation. Every possession is a chance to gauge development, test rotations, and build toward something more stable next season. They may not have much to play for in the standings, but pride, film, and future contracts are still very much on the line. Against a championship-minded Lakers squad, even keeping it close would feel like a moral win—and that’s about all New Orleans has left to chase.