It’s a new year and the New Orleans Pelicans are hoping to kick this one off right as they are set to take on a the Portland Trail Blazers at home on Friday night.
The Pelicans have lost five straight games and are now just 8-27, but they have still been competitive in most of their recent matchups. They blew the Trail Blazers out the last time there two teams met, so perhaps they’ll have the confidence needed to get back in the win column.
Portland has been an up and down team recently. They are 14-20 on the year and 5-5 in their last 10. Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe are both averaging at least 23 points in that stretch, so it’s clear who New Orleans must slow down.
Here is a quick rundown of important information to know before the game tips off on Friday:
When is New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers?
Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM CT
Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)
How to Watch New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Streaming: Pelicans+, NBA League Pass, NBA TV
TV Channel: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network
Local Radio: WWL 870 AM
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Lines
Moneyline: CHI -122
Spread: CHI -1.5
Over/Under: 248.5
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers Injury Updates
Jose Alvarado returns from suspension l, but both Derik Queen and Saddiq Bey have popped up on the injury report as out for this game. They were questionable on Thursday, so the team must be opting for the more cautious route. Trey Murphy was revealed as questionable on Friday afternoon. Both Herb Jones and Dejounte Murray remain out.
The Trail Blazers are without Jerami Grant, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, Matisse Thybulle and Blake Wesley.
Most of these injuries have bitten Portland for much of this season. The only player here that played the last time these two teams faced off was Grant and he's been out for a couple of weeks now.
Key to Victory for New Orleans Pelicans at Chicago Bulls
Don’t foul Avdija.
The Pelicans saw it firsthand last time they played Portland. Keep Avdija off the charity stripe and his game falls apart. He had just 16 points on 5-of-15 from the field in the last game because he only shot seven free throws. They must force him to create points in other ways.