The New Orleans Pelicans’ Season is Probably Over

Although options are still open, all signs are pointing to the 2019-20 season being over for the New Orleans Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans need to start preparing for the fact that their season may be over.

According to a recent article by Kevin O’Connor at The Ringer, league executives are still weighing all of their options but are not optimistic about finishing the regular season.

Adam Silver remains flexible about finishing the season, but as hours and days continue to tick away, it becomes more likely that non-playoff teams have played their final games of the 2019-20 season.

A league source with knowledge of plans for resuming games told O’Connor:

"“The first game when we get back will probably be a playoff game…”"

If this is true, then the New Orleans Pelicans will be finished, as they were still 3.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the final playoff spot.

Teams haven’t even been cleared to begin practice and Alvin Gentry estimated that it would take 20-30 days for teams to get back into game shape.

That doesn’t bode well for the regular season, as teams don’t want this season to run too long and potentially shorten next season as well.

There has been some talk of a “play-in” tournament, but that is unlikely to happen as teams would not have enough time to prepare for and organize such an event without potentially risking the health of the players.

The NBA is in a tricky spot. They stand to lose billions over the suspended season and would love nothing more than to regain that revenue, but they won’t do so if it risks players and fans.

The New Orleans Pelicans were playing some of their best basketball of the season and would love that chance to catch the Grizzlies, but they might have to wait until next year.

Thanks for reading and stay safe out there!