With the 2025-26 season schedule officially releasing today, we now know the Pelicans will be taking on the Memphis Grizzlies on opening night.
We also know that throughout the first 10 games of the season, only two come against out-of-conference teams, and half come against playoff teams from last season. Setting the Pelicans up for an easy traveling schedule that is still jam-packed with tough matchups to start the season.
Although every Western Conference matchup this season is going to mean a lot as the Pelicans strive to reach the playoffs, these three games stood out to me the most.
***This list is in no particular order and won't feature their opening night matchup with Memphis.***
The Los Angeles Lakers-November 14th
This will probably be the shortest one...anytime Luka and LeBron are taking on your favorite team, it's must-see TV.
Also, it gives us another look at LeBron vs Zion Williamson, which is a matchup that always has hype surrounding it. Now, throwing Luka Doncic into the mix, and you have a superstar-studded matchup between two Western Conference playoff contenders less than a month into the season.
The Golden State Warriors- November 29th
This matchup is bound to be special, as it is the return of Kevon Looney to Golden State. Looney didn't leave on the greatest of terms, as he felt last season, especially during the playoffs, he had been forgotten in the Warriors' rotation.
This matchup also gives another part of Jordan Poole's redemption arc against the Warriors, as Golden State traded him after Draymond Green punched Poole during practice. If you don't think JP takes these matchups personally, in his last game against the Warriors, he dropped 38 points and was trash-talking the whole night.
This game gives us a showdown of two Western Conference playoff threats and could be the birth of a new rivalry.
The Los Angeles Clippers- March 19th
The return of a franchise legend. This matchup isn't as much about the game as it is about the moment.
In what is expected to be his final appearance in New Orleans, Chris Paul, the franchise leader in virtually every counting stat, comes home. Paul spent six incredible years with the New Orleans Hornets and was a pillar not only on the court but within the community.
On top of this being an unforgettable night because of the return of CP3, it will also be an extremely fun game. The Clippers are expected to be one of the Western Conference's best teams, and the Pelicans will have a chance to pull off a massive win on a special night.