NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - After the Pelicans’ disastrous 21-61 season last year, fan attendance struggled.
Even the team’s former star forward, Brandon Ingram, seemed to notice, referring to it in his introduction to fans and media at the Toronto Raptors’ media day.
READ MORE Brandon Ingram takes shot at Pelicans’ fans, game attendance
Some fans took that as a slight to New Orleans, to which he later clarified his statements.
“I still had hope to be in New Orleans,” Ingram told Andscape.com . “I got a lot of love for New Orleans. That’s where my first All-Star [appearance] was. I built a lot of relationships with not only my teammates but also the people outside of the organization.”
The Pelicans are hoping the current season ends in much better results. When the fans have hope, they show up. After just one game so far in the Smoothie King Center, starting guard Jordan Poole has taken notice.
The Pelicans lost their home opener, an overtime thriller against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, in front of a raucous crowd.
On Monday night (Oct. 27), they’ll look to earn their first win of the season against the Celtics in another home game.
READ MORE Pelicans are 3-point favorites at home over Celtics
When asked what he thought about his first game in New Orleans, Poole said that he “loved it”.
"I loved it. Oh my God, I loved it... It feels so good to be in an environment where the fans are engaged... The last 3 years, dead in there. It was dead in Capitol One"
-- Jordan Poole on the SKC pic.twitter.com/sqbkEK17tJ
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) October 26, 2025
" It feels so good to be in an environment where the fans are engaged,“ Poole said. ”The last 3 years, it was dead in there (Wizards’ arena). It was dead in Capitol One."
After winning championships with Golden State, Poole spent the last two seasons with Washington after signing there as a free agent. After the Wizards experienced two disappointing seasons, he’s looking for a fresh start in New Orleans alongside Zion Williamson.
Poole was traded to New Orleans in exchange for veteran guard C.J. McCollum.
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