NBA Team Guide
New Orleans Pelicans: History, Championships & Facts
The franchise began play in New Orleans in 2002 as the Hornets and became the Pelicans in 2013. Through the 2025–26 season it has not reached the Western Conference Finals or the NBA Finals.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 2002, as the New Orleans Hornets |
|---|---|
| Renamed | Pelicans, officially on April 18, 2013 |
| Arena | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans (known as New Orleans Arena until 2014) |
| NBA titles | 0 through the 2025–26 season |
| Playoff appearances | 9 through the 2025–26 season |
| Division titles | 1 (2007–08, Southwest Division) |
Championship history
New Orleans has not won an NBA title or a conference title through the 2025–26 season. Its best finishes are two trips to the Western Conference semifinals.
- 2008: Southwest Division title (56–26) and Western Conference semifinals, lost to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games
- 2018: Western Conference semifinals after sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers, lost to the Golden State Warriors
Franchise history
- 2002: The Charlotte Hornets moved to New Orleans and won their first game there, 100–75 over the Utah Jazz on October 30.
- 2004: Moved from the Eastern Conference to the Western Conference's Southwest Division.
- 2005: After Hurricane Katrina, played most home games in Oklahoma City for two seasons (2005–06 and 2006–07).
- 2012: Tom Benson bought the team; it won the draft lottery and took Anthony Davis first overall.
- 2013: Officially became the Pelicans on April 18.
- 2014: The Hornets name and the 1988–2002 Charlotte records returned to Charlotte, making New Orleans officially a 2002 expansion team.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Anthony Davis |
|---|---|
| Rebounds | Anthony Davis |
| Assists | Chris Paul, 4,228 |
Retired numbers
- 6Bill Russell (retired across the NBA)
- 7Pete Maravich (honorary, for his New Orleans Jazz career and contributions to Louisiana basketball)
Biggest rivalries
- San Antonio Spurs: Southwest Division rivals since 2004, who beat New Orleans in seven games in the 2008 conference semifinals.
- Golden State Warriors: playoff meetings in 2015 and 2018, both won by Golden State.
- Memphis Grizzlies: Southwest Division rivals since 2004.
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Why were the Pelicans called the Hornets?
The team moved from Charlotte in 2002 and kept the Hornets name. It became the Pelicans in 2013, and Charlotte took back the Hornets name and its 1988–2002 history in 2014.
Why did the Hornets play in Oklahoma City?
Hurricane Katrina damaged New Orleans in 2005. The team played most home games in Oklahoma City in 2005–06 and 2006–07 as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.
Have the Pelicans ever won a championship?
No. Through the 2025–26 season the franchise has not reached the conference finals. Its best runs were the 2008 and 2018 conference semifinals.
Why is Pete Maravich's number 7 retired?
Maravich starred for the New Orleans Jazz from 1974 to 1979. The Hornets retired his number at their first New Orleans game on October 30, 2002, to honor his contributions to basketball in Louisiana.
What is the pelican's connection to New Orleans?
The brown pelican is the state bird of Louisiana and appears on the state flag and seal.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.