Saturday night basketball in New Orleans was incredible for Pelicans fans, or at least it was for the first 36 minutes of their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. After three quarters, the Pelicans led 88-76, but the wheels fell off the car in the game's final frame, as Cleveland's experience and talent simply outmatched New Orleans. Only Zion Williamson, Karlo Matkovic, and Dejounte Murray would make field goals in the fourth quarter as the Pelicans went completely cold, shooting 5-for-16 from the field and 0-for-5 from three.
This loss has sounded the alarm for many Pelicans fans and made many overlook the incredible stretch this team has been on since the All-Star break.
Stars win games in the 4th. Pels can be competitive but their ceiling is very limited when they don’t have a top 30 player on the roster.
— Pelicanfever (@Pelicanfever30) March 22, 2026
Now I understand the frustration and the whole idea that it's tough to win games against a contending team like Cleveland, who arguably have multiple players better than anyone on the Pelicans: Evan Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, and James Harden. However, I still feel very strongly that the reactions from fans to this collapse are overreactions, given this is the team's 10th game with Dejounte Murray in the rotation.
This group is still very much developing chemistry, and a huge part of that development is learning how to close games, especially against contenders like the Cavaliers.
The Pelicans' growth can't be diminished because of one loss
Since the All-Star break, New Orleans has a record of 10-6 and is taking steps in the right direction to ensure they have better results in the 2026-27 season. In these final 10 games, the Pelicans will continue to grow more comfortable, and, since they don't own their 2026 first-round pick, unlike most teams, this final stretch will be about winning rather than tanking.
Two months ago, there were talks of blowing everything up and entering a full-scale rebuild, so this turnaround can't now become overlooked because the Pelicans lost to a superior team.
The foundation is there: Murray, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Saddiq Bey, Yves Missi, Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, Karlo Matkovic, and Bryce McGowens are a strong start. Now this offseason is about filling out the gaps. Three-point shooting has been a problem all season, as Murphy III and McGowens are the team's only efficient and consistent outside threats. Trading Herb Jones this summer could be an effective way to move the needle and improve the shooting problem.
The Pelicans have shown during this final stretch that they aren't far off from being in that 9 to 5 seed range in the Western Conference. So this offseason, if Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver can shuffle things around and reinvent the wheel, this group could be ready for a playoff appearance next season.
New Orleans didn't lose to Cleveland because they don't have the talent to close out a game. They lost because they are still developing those habits and need a more balanced roster. This final stretch of the season and offseason can give them that.