Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (GCSEN) / Pelicans+ | KJZZ / Jazz+
Game Context
The Pelicans are 17-42, 14th in the Western Conference (6-21 on the road, 2-4 vs. Northwest). Deep in lottery territory, they are playing out the string with heavy emphasis on development and rest for key veterans. The Jazz sit at 18-40, 13th in the West (11-18 at home, 3-7 in their last 10). Also firmly in the draft lottery race, Utah has the league’s 7th-ranked offense (118.0 PPG) but the 30th-ranked defense (125.9 PPG allowed), creating high-variance, high-scoring affairs at home. This is the first meeting of the 2025-26 season between the clubs.
Recent Team Forms (Last 10 / Last 5)
Pelicans: 5-5 in last 10.
Recent results:
- 2/24 W 113-109 vs. Golden State
- 2/21 W 126-111 vs. Philadelphia
- 2/20 L 139-118 vs. Milwaukee
- 2/11 L 123-111 vs. Miami
- 2/9 W 120-94 vs. Sacramento
They are averaging 114.8 PPG (20th) while allowing 120.4 PPG (26th).
Jazz: 3-7 in last 10, currently on a 3-game losing streak.
Recent results:
- 2/23 L 125-105 @ Houston
- 2/20 L 123-114 @ Memphis
- 2/12 L 135-119 vs. Portland
- 2/11 W 121-93 vs. Sacramento
- 2/9 W 115-111 @ Miami
Utah scores efficiently but leaks points at a historic rate.
Injury Report
New Orleans Pelicans
- Trey Murphy III (F) – Out (right shoulder contusion; est. return Feb. 28)
- Yves Missi (C) – Out (left calf strain)
- Trey Alexander (G) – Out (G League two-way)
- Hunter Dickinson (C) – Out (G League two-way)
Utah Jazz
- Lauri Markkanen (F) – Game-Time Decision (ankle; MRI scheduled on hip/ankle as of Feb. 25)
- Keyonte George (G) – Game-Time Decision (ankle)
- Vince Williams Jr. (G) – Out for season (knee)
- Jusuf Nurkic (C) – Out for season
- Jaren Jackson Jr. (F) – Out for season (knee)
Markkanen’s status is the biggest swing factor — if he sits, the Jazz lose their leading scorer (26.7 PPG).
Projected Starters & Key Player Matchups
Pelicans (projected, short-handed): Backcourt-heavy group relying on guards and wings; frontcourt thinned without Missi. Key available pieces include CJ McCollum-level scorers and Herb Jones-type defenders (exact lineup TBD).
Jazz (projected, pending Markkanen/George): High-volume offense led by remaining scorers; thin frontcourt without Nurkic/Jackson.
Key Matchups
- Jazz perimeter creation vs. Pelicans depleted frontcourt: Without Missi, New Orleans struggles to protect the rim or rebound against Utah’s pace.
- Lauri Markkanen (if active, 26.7 PPG) vs. Pelicans wings: Markkanen’s spacing and scoring would exploit New Orleans’ injuries. If out, Jazz offense drops significantly.
- Pelicans transition/3-point volume vs. Jazz 30th-ranked defense: New Orleans can generate clean looks; Jazz allow the 2nd-most points per game at home.
- Rebounding edge: Jazz hold a slight edge (44.2 RPG vs. Pelicans 43.7), but both rank poorly league-wide.
Series History
First meeting of the 2025-26 season. No prior 2025-26 data. Historically, games between these rebuilding sides have trended high-scoring and competitive.
Betting Trends
- Jazz: 6-4 ATS in last 10; 31-27 ATS season-long; 20-5 ATS when scoring >120.4 PPG. Home games frequently hit the over (34 overs in 59 total games, 57.6%).
- Pelicans: 5-4-1 ATS in last 10; 32-27 ATS season; strong when scoring >125 but rarely do so lately. Road unders have value in low-possession spots.
- Both teams rank in the bottom-10 in defensive efficiency; combined games average well above 230 points.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans – 6.5
Utah Jazz 241.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, February 25, 2026
