With three games remaining in the 2021 regular season, the New Orleans Pelicans are all but eliminated from playoff contention.
That doesn’t mean that the Pelicans don’t still have something to play for during these games.
New Orleans has a 6-9 record over its last 15 games. While the .400 winning percentage during that stretch is below the team’s .449 season mark, the Pelicans have shown marked improvement in a number of areas.
Defensively, with youngsters like Jaxson Hayes, Naji Marshall, Wenyen Gabriel, and Willy Hernangomez providing length and range, the Pelicans have made it much more difficult for opponents to take and make good shots.