The New Orleans Pelicans play their final games of the 2024–25 season this weekend, starting with the Miami Heat in the Smoothie King Center on Friday night. While the Heat are focused on postseason positioning, the Pelicans are looking to end a frustrating year on a high note—both for the record books and their young players.
Rookie Class Keeps Impressing
Despite dropping five straight and dealing with a staggering list of injuries, New Orleans continues to get strong performances from its rookies and backups. In Thursday’s loss to Milwaukee, the Pelicans dressed just eight players, but six of them scored in double figures. Lester Quinones led the way with a career-high 21 points, while Keion Brooks Jr. and Jamal Cain added 20 each. Elfrid Payton, now on a full NBA contract, finished with 15 assists—his fourth straight game hitting double digits in that category.
Antonio Reeves, another rookie making the most of his opportunity, has averaged 15.4 points over the last five games and continues to grow in confidence. It’s not the scenario the team hoped for, but the reps are meaningful.
Injuries Continue to Shape the Narrative
The Pelicans’ depth chart has been decimated by injuries, with 11 players listed as out, including their top eight scorers. Still, head coach Willie Green sees value in this stretch of games.
“We love teaching and we love seeing our young guys grow,” Green said after the loss to the Bucks. “They make some mistakes, but there are a lot of positives and they get to play through them against high-level competition.”
Miami also comes in with its share of injury issues, but its core is mostly intact. Tyler Herro is listed as probable and has averaged over 25 points per game in his last 10. Bam Adebayo continues to anchor both ends of the floor with 18 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game
The Stakes Are Different—but Real
For the Heat, there’s still seeding to fight for. Miami is currently locked into the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference but could move up with wins over New Orleans and Washington—if Chicago slips this weekend. The Heat have dropped three of their last four following a six-game win streak and are looking to build momentum heading into the Play-In Tournament.
For New Orleans, the stakes aren’t as high, but still significant. A win would help them avoid becoming just the second team in franchise history to suffer 60 losses in a season. The only team to do so was the 2004–05 squad that finished 18-64, the season prior to drafting future Hall of Famer Chris Paul.
Earlier Matchup and Final Thoughts
When these teams met back on New Year’s night, Miami controlled the game from wire to wire, winning 119-108. Trey Murphy III had 34 points in that one, with McCollum adding 22. Neither will be available for the rematch, meaning this game will have an entirely different look.
Still, it’s another chance for the Pelicans’ young roster to grow and compete, and for the franchise to show that while the season didn’t go as planned, the future may be taking shape on the court.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Miami Heat | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Tyler Herro | G – Elfrid Payton |
| G – Alec Burks | G – Antonio Reeves |
| F – Andrew Wiggins | F – Keion Brooks Jr. |
| F – Bam Adebayo | F – Jeremiah Robinson-Earl |
| C – Kel’el Ware | F – Karlo Matkovic |
Injuries
Miami Heat: Haywood Highsmith (Achilles), Duncan Robinson (sacroiliac), and Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) are AVAILABLE. Alec Burks (back) and Tyler Herro (thigh) are PROBABLE. Nikola Jovic (hand), Pelle Larsson (ankle), and Kevin Love (personal reasons) are OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado (right calf soreness) and Karlo Matkovic (left hamstring soreness) are QUESTIONABLE. Brandon Boston (left ankle stress reaction), Bruce Brown (right knee soreness), Jordan Hawkins (lumbar spine annular fissure), Herb Jones (right shoulder torn rotator cuff), CJ McCollum (right foot contusion), Yves Missi (left ankle soreness), Trey Murphy (right shoulder torn labrum), Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture), Kelly Olynyk (left Achilles tendinosis) and Zion Williamson (low back contusion) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (21-59) vs Miami Heat (36-44)
Season Series:
- Jan. 1: Heat def. Pelicans, 119-108
- Apr. 11: Pelicans vs. Heat
Series History: The New Orleans Pelicans are 27-21 all-time against the Miami Heat and have lost three of the last four in the series.
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Apr. 11, 7:00 PM CT
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, Pelicans+
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
For more content, visit HITP Sports on YouTube or HITP Sports online.
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