The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Inglewood, California, to take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Intuit Dome. Despite sitting 13th in the Western Conference with a 19-42 record, the Pelicans enter this matchup looking to build momentum against a Clippers team that finds itself in 10th place at 27-31.
Tale of Two Seasons in the Western Conference
The Clippers will close their three-game homestand (2/22 - 3/1) on Sunday when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans. The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time at the Clippers' state-of-the-art Intuit Dome, which opened in August 2024.
For the Pelicans, this season has been marked by inconsistency and injuries, reflected in their sub-.500 record. However, recent performances suggest the team may be finding its rhythm at a crucial point in the season. The Pelicans will look to leverage their offensive firepower against a Clippers squad that has dealt with its own challenges throughout the campaign.
Clippers Roster and Recent Form
The Clippers enter Sunday's contest following a competitive stretch that has seen them battle to stay in the playoff picture. Kawhi Leonard continues to anchor the team's offense, having recently poured in 37 points in a narrow loss to Orlando. Bennedict Mathurin and Jordan Miller added 21 and 14 points, respectively, off the bench in that contest, showcasing the team's depth.
The Clippers acquired Mathurin at the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline from Indiana along with Isaiah Jackson and draft capital for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. The trade deadline move was designed to inject fresh energy into a roster seeking to climb the Western Conference standings.
The Clippers have received consistent contributions from their role players throughout the season. One starter has been particularly durable and productive, playing in all 58 of the team's games while shooting career-best percentages from the field and beyond the arc.
Pelicans Looking to Build Momentum
The Pelicans' season has been a rollercoaster, but individual performances have provided bright spots. Zion Williamson remains the team's leading scorer at 21.7 points per game, while Trey Murphy III has been a consistent offensive threat, averaging 21.5 points per game. Saddiq Bey has also emerged as a key contributor, leading the Pelicans in scoring in four of their past six games entering this matchup.
Jordan Poole highlighted a 23-point performance with five 3-pointers, and the New Orleans Pelicans outscored Philadelphia 60-35 during the final 21 minutes to beat the 76ers 126-111 on Saturday night. This victory demonstrated the Pelicans' ability to finish strong and could provide momentum heading into Sunday's game.
The Pelicans have shown flashes of their potential throughout the season, with multiple players capable of taking over games. Their success will depend on offensive efficiency and their ability to contain the Clippers' balanced attack.
Key Matchup Factors
This Western Conference clash features two teams with contrasting objectives. The Clippers, sitting in the 10th spot, are fighting to secure a play-in tournament berth and potentially climb higher in the standings. Every game carries significant weight as the regular season winds down.
For the Pelicans, while their playoff hopes appear dim at 19-42, building positive momentum and developing chemistry for the future remains important. Road games present particular challenges, but recent performances suggest the team is capable of competing against quality opponents.
The game will be played at Intuit Dome, the Clippers' impressive new home venue that has quickly become one of the NBA's premier facilities. The arena atmosphere could provide an additional advantage for the home team as they look to protect their court.
What to Watch
The matchup between Williamson and Leonard will be one to watch, as two of the league's premier talents go head-to-head. Both players have the ability to take over games and will be crucial to their respective teams' success.
The Pelicans' three-point shooting, particularly from Murphy and Poole, will be critical against a Clippers defense that has been tested throughout the season. Conversely, the Clippers will look to leverage their home-court advantage and the contributions from their revamped roster following the trade deadline.
With both teams looking to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season, Sunday's contest at Intuit Dome promises to deliver competitive basketball between two Western Conference clubs at different stages of their respective journeys.
Sources & Original Reporting
