5 games Pelicans should be especially hyped for in 2022-23 season

The New Orleans Pelicans released their 2022-23 regular-season schedule yesterday and there is plenty to talk about.

The Pelicans will have 18 nationally televised games next season, a testament to the hype around the team and the return of Zion Williamson, who is one of the NBA’s most exciting and popular players.

The Pelicans are expected to contend for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and could climb to the top of the conference if everything goes to plan.

There is going to be a lot of hype, hope and excitement in New Orleans this season and both the fans and the Pelicans will be extra hyped for a handful of games.

New Orleans Pelicans regular season schedule: 5 games to be excited about

October 19th @ Brooklyn Nets

Let’s just start with the very first game of the season, as excitement and hype for this game are already palpable even though we are still two months away. Not only will we have the return of Zion Williamson, but Ben Simmons will also be making his debut for the Nets after missing all of last season.

On top of that we’ll have the Brandon Ingram vs. Kevin Durant battle, which should have some extra spice after BI was fraudulently named in trade rumors involving Durant.

A win on the road will get the Pelicans off to a great start.

November 15th vs. Memphis Grizzlies

This game is not only against a division rival and a team the Pelicans figure to be battling for years to come, but it is also on national television, so it will get plenty of eyeballs.

We’ll see if Zion can continue his domination over Ja Morant and the Grizzlies, who have gotten the last laugh by being the better team the last two seasons even though Zion has owned that matchup so far.

This will be a good test for the Pelicans and give us a sense of which team is going to rise out of the loaded Southwest Division.

December 9th vs. Phoenix Suns

This will be the first home game against the Suns and I am sure the Smoothie King Center will be raucous.

Jose Alvarado is going to be chasing Chris Paul all over the place and making his life miserable, which will no doubt thrill the home crowd in New Orleans.

This game will also see the return of Jae Crowder, who became the villain of last year’s playoffs, and I am sure the crowd will give him a warm welcome that could include some colorful language.

February 4th vs. the Los Angeles Lakers

This one is interesting for a lot of reasons.

You’ll have Anthony Davis coming back to New Orleans which is always fun, and by February we will know if these two teams are playing for the playoffs. The Pels are hoping the Lakers are buried by this point, as they can swap for LA’s draft pick and are hoping it’s a high one.

If both teams are good, this game will possibly have huge ramifications on the seeding, as their late matchup last season did.

March 28th @ Golden State Warriors

Another nationally televised game, this one against the defending champions.

If everyone is healthy, this will be one of the most hyped games of the season, as both teams should be jockeying for playoff position and the Pelicans will be eager to prove that they belong in the conversation with the contenders.

This game will be a huge road test late in the season for the Pels.

There are plenty of games to look forward to on next year’s schedule and the Pelicans hope to be playing meaningful games in April and beyond.