The New Orleans Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Center on April 6, 2025, to host the Milwaukee Bucks in what marks one of their final home games of a disappointing and injury-riddled season, which has left them with a 21-54 record and out of playoff contention. It has been a frustrating campaign for a franchise that entered the year with aspirations of breaking into the upper echelon of the Western Conference, only to see their trajectory undermined by constant injury setbacks, most notably to stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Williamson, despite flashes of dominance early in the season, has struggled to stay on the court consistently due to lingering lower-body issues, while Ingram has been in and out of the lineup with various ailments, disrupting the team’s offensive continuity and chemistry. Without their offensive cornerstones, the Pelicans have been forced to shift their identity and lean into development mode, giving significant minutes to a mix of young players and emerging role contributors. Trey Murphy III has shown promise as a floor-spacing forward with defensive upside, and Herbert Jones continues to evolve into a gritty, do-it-all wing capable of guarding multiple positions and making hustle plays. Rookie guard Dyson Daniels has earned praise for his defensive instincts and passing vision, and his increased usage in recent weeks points toward a foundational role moving forward. Despite these individual bright spots, New Orleans has struggled on both ends of the floor when facing playoff-caliber competition.

Offensively, their production has been inconsistent, with a lack of reliable three-point shooting and limited shot creation without Williamson and Ingram in the lineup. Defensively, the Pelicans have had difficulty containing aggressive backcourts and protecting the paint, often falling behind early and struggling to recover. Their ATS record of 32-42-3 reflects that inconsistency, particularly in matchups where they’ve been heavily outgunned talent-wise. Facing the Bucks presents a significant challenge, especially considering Milwaukee’s size and physicality, which could overwhelm New Orleans on the interior. The Pelicans will need to focus on limiting second-chance points, defending without fouling, and generating early offense in transition to have a chance at keeping pace. Head coach Willie Green will likely use this game as an opportunity to evaluate his young core under pressure, experimenting with rotations and roles that could inform the offseason and next year’s roster construction. From a psychological standpoint, playing spoiler against a title-contending team like Milwaukee could provide much-needed morale and a competitive edge that’s been missing in recent months. With the crowd behind them, the Pelicans will aim to make a strong final impression at home, even if the stakes are low in the standings. The emphasis will be on energy, effort, and giving the fans something to cheer for as the franchise sets its sights on a healthier and more promising 2025–26 campaign. While the loss column has grown this year, the opportunity to cultivate resilience, evaluate talent, and establish a culture of accountability remains invaluable as New Orleans looks to reset and regroup.