The New Orleans Pelicans opened the 2025-26 season with a disappointing 128-122 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. A huge 41-22 third quarter gave Memphis an 8-point lead entering the fourth quarter, and despite the Pelicans fighting back and tying the game at one point, they struggled to get into a flow offensively in the clutch.
The clutch is where they should’ve been trusting Jordan Poole with the ball; whether he has 30 points or is 0/10, he is built to deliver in the big moments. Last night, he had a great start with 15 points in the first half, but went 0/4 in the third quarter. I understand there may have been hesitation to give him the ball, but this isn’t some rookie — this is an experienced shotmaker.
There’s absolutely zero reason for him to have just one shot attempt in the fourth quarter, and in the future, Willie Green has to find ways to get him the ball and get him back running the offense. The big draw to JP as a player is the ability to make shots from beyond the arc and get into his own offense in any situation, which are two things this team needed in the fourth.
The coaching staff can’t let this become the norm.
It’s still just the first game of the season, so there's no reason to freak out about the lack of involvement Poole had in the clutch, but it can’t become a trend. With the way the Pelicans roster is constructed, they have the potential to be a gritty playoff team that is competitive every single night.
With that comes tight games that may come down to the final two to three possessions, and if they want positive results in those situations, they need to get JP the ball. Whether he comes up big or lets the team down in the clutch, at least you know they give it to the person who gave them the best chance to win.
New Orleans' next game is set for Friday night at home against its Southwest Division rival, the San Antonio Spurs. This game features the battle between two former No. 1 picks, Zion Williamson and Victor Wembanyama, but, more importantly, it pits two aspiring playoff teams against each other.
With these types of matchups, close games are expected, and if so, the Pelicans' coaching staff needs to avoid repeating the mistakes they made against the Grizzlies on opening night.