New Orleans Pelicans 2022-23 Season at Smoothie King Center
The New Orleans Pelicans sail into another season at the Smoothie King Center, where they have enjoyed a notable homecourt advantage over their history. The venue, in the heart of the city's Central Business District, has undergone significant renovations since it opened in 1999 as the New Orleans Arena. Recent years have seen upgrades to the lighting and sound systems and enhancements in the concession areas, all aimed at elevating the fan experience.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Info
Conference: Western
Division: Southwest
Year Founded: 2002
Team Colors: Navy Blue, Gold, Red
New Orleans Pelicans History
The franchise joined the NBA in 1988 in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the Hornets. The team struggled until the early 1990s, when in a three-year span they assembled the young trio of Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson and Kendall Gill. With Glen Rice added to the mix, they made four playoff appearances in the 1990s, failing to go farther than the second round, and started another successful stretch in the 1999-00 season fueled by guard Baron Davis. But after an unsuccessful bid to get a new arena, the team moved to New Orleans in 2002.
The Hornets made the playoffs each of their first two years in New Orleans, but after the third year they were forced to relocate to Oklahoma City for two seasons due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Upon returning in 2007-08, they finished 56-26 to win the Southwest Division, led by the trio of Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler. In the playoffs, they beat the Dallas Mavericks in the first round before falling to the San Antonio Spurs in a seven-game conference semifinal.
Under new ownership (New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson purchased the Hornets), the team then changed its name to the Pelicans.
