The schedule says the New Orleans Pelicans are halfway to the finish line of the season.
But the Pelicans’ play so far says this season is already finished.
They are dead last in the Western Conference, nine games behind what it would take to get the 10th and final spot to make in the play-in tournament.
The Pels' record through 41 games is a dismal 9-32, the exact same record as this time a year ago.
Things were supposed to be different this season, the first under new executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars.
So far, they haven’t been.
Dumars fired head coach Willie Green just 12 games into the season.
The Pelicans started the season off with six straight losses.
Since then, there has been a nine-game losing streak, a seven-game losing streak and another nine-game losing streak.
The fans are frustrated. Truth be told, everybody is.
"It's professional sports, (so) the results are a major factor,” said interim head coach James Borrego. “They (the players) are reading stuff. They are frustrated, too. We all want multiple wins in a row. We’ve just got to stick together and continue the process of growing and developing as a team. Not put our heads down (because) that’s when you lose focus.”
The Pelicans have used 19 different starting lineups this season due to injuries and just trying new ways to shake things up. Zion Williamson even came off the bench for seven games.
And in case you haven’t heard, the Pelicans don’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 draft.
Barring some trades, there’s not a whole lot to be optimistic about heading into the second half of the season.
The Pelicans won just 21 games last season, the second fewest wins in an 82-game season in franchise history.
Can this season’s team get to 21?
Borrego often mentions that his players haven’t dropped the sword yet. And they haven’t. But they aren’t really using those swords, either. At least not for four quarters, which was the case in Sunday’s loss to the Orlando Magic when they failed to execute down the stretch and were outscored 37-20 in the final 12 minutes.
Williamson points to two things the Pelicans must do better.
First, learn how to close out games.
And second is play better when Herb Jones isn’t in the lineup.
“Late in the game, teams are getting layups against us,” Williamson said. “When Herb’s not out there, we have to have some defensive identity.”
The Pelicans are averaging 114.9 points per game, which ranks 21st in the league. They rank 28th in points allowed, giving up 122.4 points per game.
“If we don’t get stops, it doesn’t matter how many points we score,” Williamson said.
Borrego guided the Pels to a five-game winning streak in mid-December that seemed to right the ship. It included the Pelicans climbing out of a 25-point hole to beat the Houston Rockets. But since that streak, the Pelicans have lost 10 of their past 11 games.
Despite the struggles, Borrego has found some positives in the first half of the season.
“No. 1, I like our competitive spirit,” Borrego said. “We are in games. We’re a tough out every night. You’ve got to come to play. Guys are putting themselves in position. We are moving the needle there. Offensively, I’m seeing a significant turn there. It’s the defensive end that we’ve got to get better.”
His goal for the second half of the season?
“I’m really focused on the day-to-day process,” Borrego said. “Keep competing. We want to be a team that continues to compete and a team our city is proud of and can rally around. That’s the goal.”
For the past season and a half, that goal hasn’t been met. The Pelicans are just 30-93 since the start of last season.
The team hasn’t quit. Trey Murphy is playing as well as he’s played since entering the league. Williamson is healthy and playing in back-to-back games again. Rookies Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears look like players you can build around. Saadiq Bey, who has missed the past six games with a right hip flexor strain, was upgraded to questionable for Tuesday’s game. Jones is now “day-to-day,” Borrego said Monday.
Borrego says the energy in film sessions and practice has been great. And he's been pleased with the overall vibe in the locker room, too.
“The result is next,” Borrego said. “You just keep pounding on the rock. You don’t know when that thing is going to split, but as long as we stay together, the results will take care of themselves. We are excited. We have 41 more (games) to go. Where that goes, none of us know. But I know this group will continue to stay together and keep pounding the rock.”
These next 41 will determine how the Pelicans finish the season.
Or did the first 41 tell us they already have?