The basketball world is anxiously awaiting the start of the new NBA season, which can only mean one thing. A new version of the 'NBA 2k' series must have released.
Given the national expectations of the New Orleans Pelicans, it is not shocking to learn that they have one of the lower-rated squads in the game. Zion Williamson is their highest-rated player at an 87 overall.
How would they do over an entire season, though? Using the MyNBA mode on the game, it's possible to simulate through the 2025/2026 campaign and get a prediction of what the computer thinks will happen this year. Spoiler alert: the ending may be triggering for some Pelicans fans.
Starting with the overall statistics, New Orleans went 46-36 which landed them in the Play-In tournament as they finished with the seventh-best record in the West.
They had the third-best offense in the NBA at 123.0 points per game. Their defense was not nearly as elite, ranking No. 18 in the league with 119.5 points allowed a night.
Carrying them through the regular season was a finally healthy Zion Williamson. The superstar averaged 22.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists as he shot 63.7% from the field. The most important stat is that he ended up starting all 82 games, which is the least realistic thing to happen in this simulation.
With his health, came his third All-Star nod and his first All-NBA appearance on the third team.
Trey Murphy III also continued his breakout with what feels like it would be a best-case scenario type of season. He averaged 21.7 points on .509/.435/.858 shooting. He also had 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Murphy broke a franchise record with 357 three-point makes and he did it while also being ultra efficient. This performance would have him as an established star in the league.
Neither Pelicans rookie had a consistent role throughout the season, but injuries did allow them to play sporadically.
Derik Queen's best career night came against the Miami Heat when he had 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists which showcased everything he can bring to an offense.
Jeremiah Fears had his best night in the playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he scored 31 points with four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
New Orleans made the Play-In tournament, where they beat the Portland Trailblazers to secure the seventh-seed where they would take on the Dallas Mavericks.
While the Pelicans would survive seven games to advance to the next round against the Thunder, one of their players would not. Williamson suffered a leg injury in game three that would knock him out for the rest of the season.
Oklahoma City swept an under-manned New Orleans squad. The New York Knicks would go on to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in seven games for an NBA title.