On Tuesday, February 25, the New Orleans Pelicans wrapped a two-game homestand, with both legs coming against the San Antonio Spurs. They came out on top in both legs, first a 114-96 beatdown followed by a 109-103 nailbiter that required some late-game heroics from Zion Williamson.
These victories may seem like mundane regular season wins over a shorthanded team missing both their franchise player in Victor Wembanyama and their head coach in Gregg Popovich, but these games could prove to be monumental events in league history soon enough. It wasn't just because of the results, although that stretch did provide Bruce Brown Jr.'s best game as a Pelican so far and gave New Orleans just their fourth winning streak on the season.
Those two wins could also wind up having a massive effect on the NBA lottery at the end of the season, as the Pelicans climbed two spots in the league standings from the second dub over the Spurs. When it's all said and done, they could point back to those two games against San Antonio as they did or didn't get Cooper Flagg. Even without the draft implications though, these games could prove to be much more meaningful than just two wins for the Pelicans or two losses for the Spurs. They may have been the very last time a franchise legend got to suit up in New Orleans.
Chris Paul may have just played his last game in New Orleans
Chris Paul was up to his usual antics in the second leg of his back-to-back series against the Pelicans. On Tuesday, he notched another double-double, finishing with 10 assists and 12 points on a characteristically efficient 4-7 shooting. He also added two steals and a block. It's not obvious when watching him play, but Paul is currently in his 20th season in the NBA and will be turning 40 in a few months.
He's come a long way since the New Orleans Hornets originally selected him fourth-overall in the 2005 draft. He's now played on seven different teams, having made a positive impact on every single franchise he's touched. When it's all said and done, some might think of him first as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. After all, he did spend the bulk of his prime in LA and those Clippers teams were probably the most successful endeavors in his career. That said, New Orleans will always be his first home as an NBA player, and that hasn't been lost to Chris Paul and his family.
Shortly after his Tuesday night clash against the Pelicans, Paul and his wife both took the time to show NOLA some love on Instagram. His wife, Jada Paul, posted up in a vintage jersey from CP3's days with the Hornets with a simple caption showing that they still have roots in the Bayou with a GSG (Go Saints Go).
Chris was a bit more wordy with his upload:
"After 20 years the love for this city has never changed! The journey started here, and I’ll always have gratitude for the city of New Orleans #CantGiveUpNow"
So far, Paul hasn't given any indication that he plans to retire after this season, although he did only sign a one-year deal with San Antonio last summer. At his age and with everything he's already accomplished in the NBA though, it certainly wouldn't be shocking to see him hang it up for good at the end of this league year. Even if he does suit up for another campaign or two, it's not impossible that CP3 has already played his last game in New Orleans. Unless, of course, he signed that one-year deal to set up a real homecoming this summer.