The NBA released its 2026/2027 schedule on Thursday, giving a full look at the season ahead for the New Orleans Pelicans.

This is going to be an interesting year for the Pelicans, who have not really done much to change the roster despite back-to-back seasons of not reaching 30 wins. There is developing talent and the potential for the best bill of health in a while, so they should still be better.

Here's a look at some important dates for this season:

New Orleans actually had a three-season run of starting the year with a win before losing a thriller to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2025. It was actually one of the final great moments for Ja Morant in that arena. Now the Pelicans will face a Pacers team that hopes to be way better, as this will be the official return of Tyrese Haliburton after he tore his Achilles in the 2025 Finals.

After being fired just a few games into last season, Green has had a little bit more time to reflect and will get right back into coaching on Jason Kidd's staff for the Dallas Mavericks. This will be the team's first time seeing him in-game since his firing.

Two tough games that are listed as neutral sites, but they will certainly be road games for the Pelicans, as Victor Wembanyama is a European superstar. New Orleans will need to make the most of this opportunity, though, as they are currently the only two primetime games they have on their schedule.

James did sign a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, but he will be 42 by the time this game happens. Any New Orleans-based NBA fans who want to see the star play in person will not want to skip this game. There are very limited chances to see him left, and this could very well be the last time he plays in the Smoothie King Center, if he is even healthy for this specific game.

The first game against his former squad actually comes a bit earlier in the season, on January 8, but that game is in New Orleans. This is a full return to Orlando for this staff for the first time since their exit last season. It is always an emotional game when a coach goes back to a place they spent a few years. The team will want to win this one for their staff.

This time of the year could either be a very important game for the Pelicans or one that doesn't matter at all. New Orleans hopes to compete this season, but if they don't, there could be some major moves ahead at the trade deadline. Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy and Dejounte Murray are just some of the names who could be moved at the deadline if this year starts poorly before the deadline.

Some playoff teams will have their foot off the gas right now, but the Pelicans don't project to be one of those. Even if they do push for the postseason in a tough West conference, they are likely going to be somewhere around the play-in. The final game could end up majorly affecting the seeding.