Top 5 must-see games on the New Orleans Pelicans 2024-25 schedule

January 31, 2025 vs. Boston Celtics

The Pelicans will only get two chances next season to prove their mettle against the reigning champs. First, on January 12 in Boston, as part of a mini, three-game East Coast road trip. Shortly after that, they'll get another shot against the Celtics in New Orleans at the end of the month. Bafflingly, none of the national networks wanted to pick up either of these matchups, despite the Pellies keeping it close in both of their clashes in the 2023-24 season.

Boston mowed through a depleted Eastern Conference en route to the 2024 NBA Finals, where they also manhandled a tired, upstart Dallas Mavericks squad in five short games. So, despite winning it all last year, many critics have claimed that this iteration of the Celtics has still yet to be truly tested.

The Cs, like any team, can only play the opponent that's been presented to them. That said, between their relatively cushy path to the Finals, the lack of respect given by the NBA's fans and the Celtics' peers, Jaylen Brown's Olympics snub, and Jayson Tatum's lack of playing time for Team USA, Boston should be out for revenge next season, even though they hold the title of reigning champions. Both of New Orleans's bouts against the Celtics next season are sure to be uphill climbs, but a home win against a stacked Boston roster would do wonders for team morale.