The New Orleans Pelicans (13-38, 14th in the Western Conference) face the Charlotte Hornets (22-28, 11th in the Eastern Conference) in an interconference matchup on Monday afternoon. The Pelicans are looking to snap a recent skid amid ongoing injury woes, while the Hornets aim to extend their impressive winning streak at home. This game marks the second meeting between the teams this season, with New Orleans seeking to complete a season sweep after a narrow victory in November.
Venue Location
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina.
The game time was adjusted earlier than originally scheduled (from 7:00 p.m. ET) due to a winter storm in the area.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. CT, 12:00 p.m. PT).
The game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network, Gulf Coast Sports, Pelicans+, NBA League Pass, and radio stations WFNZ 92.7 FM and WWL 870 AM.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with absences, but Charlotte’s depth has helped them weather the storm better.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Reason |
| Pelicans | Dejounte Murray | PG | Out | Right Achilles rupture |
| Pelicans | Trey Alexander | G | Out | G League – Two-Way |
| Pelicans | Hunter Dickinson | C | Out | G League – Two-Way |
| Hornets | Mason Plumlee | C | Out | Right groin surgery (re-evaluated in six weeks) |
| Hornets | Josh Green | G | Probable | Right thumb sprain |
| Hornets | KJ Simpson | G | GTD | Right hip |
| Hornets | PJ Hall | F | Out | G League – Two-Way |
| Hornets | Liam McNeeley | F | Out | G League – On Assignment |
| Hornets | Antonio Reeves | G | Out | G League – Two-Way |
| Hornets | Tidjane Salaun | F | Out | G League – On Assignment |
The Pelicans are notably without Murray, a key playmaker, which has hampered their offense all season.
For the Hornets, Plumlee’s absence shifts more responsibility to Moussa Diabate in the frontcourt, but Green’s potential return adds perimeter versatility.
Key
Player Matchups
This game features intriguing battles between young stars and versatile forwards. Projected starting lineups (based on recent rotations and injuries):
| Position | Pelicans | Hornets |
| PG | Trey Murphy III | LaMelo Ball |
| SG | Herbert Jones | Josh Green (or Kon Knueppel if Green is out) |
| SF | Saddiq Bey | Brandon Miller |
| PF | Zion Williamson | Miles Bridges |
| C | Derik Queen | Moussa Diabate |
Key matchups to watch:
Zion Williamson vs. Miles Bridges: Williamson (21.7 PPG, team leader) is a dominant force inside, but Bridges’ athleticism and spacing could neutralize some drives. Williamson missed the first matchup, so this is a fresh test.
Trey Murphy III vs. LaMelo Ball: Murphy (21.5 PPG) will handle point duties with Murray out, facing Ball’s explosive scoring (21 PPG projection) and playmaking (9 APG projection). Ball’s speed could exploit New Orleans’ 28th-ranked defense.
Saddiq Bey vs. Brandon Miller: Bey has led the Pelicans in scoring in four of their last six games (recent high of 34 points), but Miller (20.8 PPG, Hornets’ leader) is on a tear during Charlotte’s streak. This wing duel could decide perimeter shooting efficiency.
Overall: Hornets’ ball movement vs. Pelicans’ perimeter defense: Charlotte’s drive-and-kick offense thrives on quick decisions, potentially exposing New Orleans’ vulnerabilities (allowing 114.6 PPG).
Expect 11 players to score in double figures across both teams, highlighting depth.
Recent Team Forms
The Hornets are surging, while the Pelicans have shown flashes but remain inconsistent due to injuries.
Pelicans’ Last 10 Games (4-6 record):
1/31 at PHI: L 124-114
1/30 vs MEM: W 114-106
1/27 at OKC: L 104-95
1/25 at SA: L 104-95 (conflicting data; some sources list as W, but recent trends show losses)
Overall: 6-4 ATS in last 10, with a focus on high-scoring games (Over in 4 of last 10).
New Orleans has lost five of their last seven road games but beat Memphis recently behind Bey’s scoring.
Hornets’ Last 10 Games (8-2 record):
Winners of six straight (longest streak in nearly 10 years), including victories over Jazz, Lakers, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Mavericks, and Spurs.
6-4 ATS in last 10, with Unders in 6 of last 10 home games.
Charlotte has won seven of their past eight overall, building momentum with balanced scoring from Ball, Miller, and Bridges.
Series History
The Pelicans hold a strong all-time edge: 29 wins to 13 losses against the Hornets in 42 regular-season meetings. New Orleans has won seven of the last 10 head-to-heads, including a 116-112 home victory on November 4, 2025 (eight Pelicans in double figures, led by Murphy’s 21 points).
Five of the last six meetings have gone Under the total. Charlotte aims to avoid a season sweep, last winning at home against New Orleans in January 2025 (123-92).
Betting Trends
Spread (ATS): Charlotte is 29-21 ATS this season (6-4 in last 10), while New Orleans is 28-23 ATS (but 12-12 on the road). The Hornets are 16-11 ATS at home.
Over/Under: The Under has hit in 65% of Hornets’ home games (8-14 O/U) and five of the last six head-to-heads. Recent trends: Over in 4 of Pelicans’ last 10, Under in 6 of Hornets’ last 10.
Game Odds
New Orleans Pelicans 230.5
Charlotte Hornets – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, February 1, 2026
