2026-10-16 · 7:00 PM CT · Preseason
Washington Wizards17-65
New Orleans Pelicans26-56ESPN standings data retrieved October 6, 2026. NBA comparisons use the completed 2025–26 regular season. Each upcoming fixture labels preseason or regular-season status.
Washington Wizards2025–26 regular season
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|---|---|
| STANDARD STATS | ||
| Points / game | 112.9 | 25 / 30 |
| Rebounds / game | 41.9 | 26 / 30 |
| Assists / game | 25.0 | 25 / 30 |
| Turnovers / game | 15.1 | 29 / 30 |
| Steals / game | 8.0 | 21 / 30 |
| Blocks / game | 5.5 | 5 / 30 |
| FG% | 46.3% | 22 / 30 |
| 3PT% | 35.9% | 16 / 30 |
| FT% | 76.6% | 23 / 30 |
| THE LAB MEASURES | ||
| eFG% | 53.5% | 21 / 30 |
| Turnover rate | 13.2% | 26 / 30 |
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
| Free-throw pressure | 0.235 | 26 / 30 |
New Orleans Pelicans2025–26 regular season
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|---|---|
| STANDARD STATS | ||
| Points / game | 115.5 | 16 / 30 |
| Rebounds / game | 43.9 | 15 / 30 |
| Assists / game | 25.1 | 24 / 30 |
| Turnovers / game | 13.5 | 11 / 30 |
| Steals / game | 8.9 | 9 / 30 |
| Blocks / game | 5.2 | 9 / 30 |
| FG% | 46.6% | 20 / 30 |
| 3PT% | 34.7% | 24 / 30 |
| FT% | 78.4% | 14 / 30 |
| THE LAB MEASURES | ||
| eFG% | 52.7% | 27 / 30 |
| Turnover rate | 11.7% | 10 / 30 |
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
| Free-throw pressure | 0.284 | 8 / 30 |
ESPN team totals and game box scores checked October 6. NBA season averages and ranks use 2025–26; preseason game results are shown separately. Ranks are within the league, with ties sharing a rank; a lower turnover rate is better. Season offensive rebound rate needs opponent defensive-rebound totals, which this feed does not supply. A dash means unavailable. This game’s offensive rebound rate uses the opponent’s actual rebounds.
eFG% gives a made three its extra value. Turnover rate estimates the share of plays lost before a shot. Offensive rebound rate is the share of available offensive rebounds collected. Free-throw pressure is FTA/FGA. The calculations are (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM)/FGA; TOV/(FGA + 0.44 × FTA + TOV); OREB/(OREB + opponent DREB); and FTA/FGA.
This is preseason. Use the team numbers as background and watch how the new lineups play together. No spread or Lab win probability is published for this game.
Last season 17-65 | 15th in the East | Missed postseason
2025-26 efficiency 109.7 offense | 121.5 defense | -11.8 net per 100 possessions
Washington finished last in the East at 17-65 with a minus-11.8 net rating. The team allowed 121.5 points per 100 possessions, so a more entertaining offense will not be enough by itself. Much of the season was developmental, and the veterans acquired during it barely contributed to those final numbers.
Michael Winger and Will Dawkins now have Trae Young and Anthony Davis together after last season's trades. Young played only five games for Washington and Davis none. The Wizards added first pick AJ Dybantsa, Deandre Ayton and Khris Middleton, while Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and the young perimeter group continue developing. The available roster is materially stronger than the one responsible for most of the 65 losses.
The unresolved concern is whether the lineup balances development with a practical defensive plan. Davis and Sarr can change the interior, but several possible combinations compress the paint and demand disciplined perimeter coverage. Young needs players who can finish the opportunities he creates and protect him on the other end. Management added established names without making the minutes distribution obvious. Veteran health also determines how much the youngsters are being asked to solve.
Projected finish is 12th in the East. We credit the large talent change while refusing to treat a collection of veterans as an automatic playoff team. Washington can escape the bottom tier without immediately becoming coherent. The useful evidence will be a lower defensive rating, a defined role for Dybantsa and lineups that make Young's creation easier to convert.
Last season 26-56 | 11th in the West | Missed postseason
2025-26 efficiency 113.3 offense | 117.6 defense | -4.4 net per 100 possessions
New Orleans finished 11th at 26-56 and missed the postseason. A minus-4.4 net rating reflected trouble at both ends. The Pelicans took a league-high 58 percent of their shots in the paint, yet their team conversion there was poor. Getting close to the basket and getting a useful attempt are different accomplishments.
Joe Dumars hired Jamahl Mosley and added Bennedict Mathurin, AJ Johnson and Trendon Watford. Mathurin supplies scoring and free-throw pressure. Dejounte Murray's return gives the existing group a more experienced organizer, while Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen enter their second seasons. Trey Murphy and Zion Williamson remain important offensive pieces around that developing foundation.
The front office has largely retained the core that produced 26 wins. That places a considerable burden on Mosley to improve a defense that allowed 117.6 points per 100 possessions and on the young players to become more efficient. Mathurin's ability to draw fouls helps, but does not by itself resolve paint congestion or lineup defense. Herbert Jones rediscovering his defensive impact would matter more than simply adding another scorer.
Projected finish is 12th in the West. Better organization and internal growth should make New Orleans more competitive, but the defensive evidence is still too weak for a playoff prediction. There is a plausible path into the Play-In race. It starts with a functioning five-man defense and ends with better conversion from the shots this team already prefers.
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