The New Orleans Pelicans will officially open the 2025-26 season against the Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. However, their first home game will come against the San Antonio Spurs.
This matchup will feature the battle of two former number-one picks, with Zion Williamson and Victor Wembanyama going head-to-head.
The Spurs and Pelicans have never had a real harsh rivalry, as the closest they got to a rivalry was the 2008 playoffs, where the two teams matched up in the second round. However, with both teams being in the Southwest Division and facing each other four times a year, there is some form of rivalry between the two teams.
With both the Pelicans and Spurs putting together rosters that'll be competing in the Western Conference next season, I believe the home opener could establish the Pelicans vs the Spurs as a real rivalry.
These teams have a ton of similarities
The similarities between these two teams start with their superstars. Both guys are former No. 1 overall picks and polarizing players with constant injury concerns. Although Wembanyama is much younger than Williamson, I think you could argue the media has put the same level of pressure on both men to lead their teams to success this season.
At point guard, both squads have All-Star-caliber ones in Dejounte Murray for the Pelicans and De'Aaron Fox for the Spurs. They both had a tough time during their first season with their new teams. Murray's was filled with personal issues and injuries that ultimately ended his season. And Fox was traded mid-season to the Spurs and only appeared in 17 games.
Both guards will be looking to help lead their squad to the playoffs this season. For Fox, that mission will start right away, and for Murray, it'll start when he returns from injury.
On the wings, the Spurs and Pelicans each have incredibly talented personnel. Keldon Johnson and Herb Jones are the glue that keeps their respective teams together. Herb acts as the defensive anchor and point of attack defender who sets the tone defensively, while Johnson is an all-around hustle player who is always trying to make the right play.
Trey Murphy and Devin Vassell also have a ton in common, as both have dealt with their fair share of injuries but possess so much talent as scorers. If the Spurs and Pelicans each want to reach their expectations, they are going to need Vassell and Murphy to take the next step.
I could go on and on about the similarities these two Southwestern Division teams have, like the fact that they both have two rookies they selected in this year's draft.
Similarities often lead to differences in relationships, and I feel like that can be something translated to basketball.
Since the Spurs and Pelicans have so much in common, it could lead the two teams to resent one another, especially because they are in the same conference and division. The Pelicans' home opener for the 2025-26 season in New Orleans could be the birth of their biggest rivalry ever.