The New Orleans Pelicans travel to the Spectrum Center to face the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, February 2, at 12:00 PM PT. New Orleans enters the game on a one-game losing streak after a 124-114 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers, while Charlotte is riding a six-game winning streak following victories over the Spurs and Mavericks.
Injuries continue to impact both teams. The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray (right Achilles), Trey Alexander, and Hunter Dickinson, all sidelined due to injury or two-way assignments. The Hornets could see Josh Green available after a right thumb sprain, but Mason Plumlee, PJ Hall, Liam McNeeley, Antonio Reeves, Tidjane Salaun, and KJ Simpson remain out.
New Orleans relies heavily on Zion Williamson, who is averaging 21.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season. Trey Murphy III leads the team in scoring with 21.5 points per contest and is shooting 36% from three. Saddiq Bey contributes 16.5 points per game, and Derik Queen adds 12.3 points along with 7.4 rebounds.
Charlotte boasts a strong offensive trio in Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Miles Bridges. Miller averages 20.8 points, Knueppel 18.8, and Bridges 18.4. LaMelo Ball adds 19 points and 7.6 assists per game, orchestrating the offense while Moussa Diabate controls the paint with 8.5 rebounds and 8.5 points per contest.
The Pelicans’ biggest challenge will be handling the Hornets’ spacing and transition game. Charlotte ranks among the league’s top teams in field-goal percentage (.464) and three-point efficiency (.373), while New Orleans struggles with consistency, shooting 46% from the field and 33.7% from beyond the arc.
The teams previously met on November 4, 2025, with New Orleans edging Charlotte 116-112.
