Pelicans Look to Spoil Knicks' Playoff Push

New Orleans aims to continue late-season surge against surging New York

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:30pm

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The New York Knicks, currently third in the Eastern Conference standings, host the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night as they look to extend their winning streak to seven games. The Pelicans, though out of playoff contention, have been playing well lately, going 15-11 since the return of defensive leader Herb Jones and starting point guard Dejounte Murray. New York has taken advantage of some of the NBA's weaker teams during its current run, but the Pelicans have proven capable of beating playoff-bound squads in recent weeks.

Why it matters

This game pits a Knicks team firmly in the playoff picture against a Pelicans squad that, while out of the postseason race, has shown it can compete with the league's better teams. The outcome could impact New York's seeding in the East, while New Orleans looks to continue building momentum for next season.

The details

The Knicks are led by a balanced attack, with six players averaging double-digit points. They are coming off a 145-113 rout of the Wizards in which they scored 77 second-half points. The Pelicans, meanwhile, have been boosted by the returns of Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray, who is averaging 18.7 points, 6.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds since coming back from an Achilles injury. New Orleans is 15-11 since Jones returned and 9-5 since Murray's comeback.

  • The Knicks and Pelicans last met on December 29, 2025, with New York winning 130-125 in New Orleans.
  • This will be the first matchup between the teams since the Pelicans traded reserve guard Jose Alvarado to his hometown Knicks at the trade deadline.

The players

Mike Brown

Head coach of the New York Knicks.

Herb Jones

Defensive leader for the New Orleans Pelicans who has helped spark their recent turnaround.

Dejounte Murray

Starting point guard for the New Orleans Pelicans who has averaged 18.7 points, 6.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds since returning from an Achilles injury.

James Borrego

Interim head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't even know it was six games in a row. You always try to think about where and how we can get better on both ends of the floor. I think we're still improving, but I've got to give our guys credit.”

— Mike Brown, Head Coach, New York Knicks

“We don't want this to end. We want to sprint through the finish line with momentum.”

— James Borrego, Interim Head Coach, New Orleans Pelicans

What’s next

The Knicks will look to continue their push for a high playoff seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Pelicans aim to play spoiler and build momentum for next season.

The takeaway

This game showcases the contrasting fortunes of the Knicks and Pelicans, with New York firmly in the playoff picture and New Orleans playing for pride down the stretch. However, the Pelicans' recent strong play suggests they could pose a challenge to the surging Knicks.