New Orleans Pelicans · Franchise era 1 of 5
Basketball returns to New Orleans: the New Orleans Pelicans story
Franchise era
2002–03—2004–05
Basketball returns to New Orleans
New Orleans Pelicans
The story in one sentence
The relocated Hornets reached the playoffs in their first two New Orleans seasons before injuries and upheaval changed the roster.
Baron Davis leads a new home
Baron Davis, Jamal Mashburn and P.J. Brown gave the era its recognizable core.
Its ending created the conditions for the oklahoma city interlude.
Timeline
How it unfolded
The foundation
The franchise context
New Orleans basketball has been shaped by elite lead guards and generational big men, from Chris Paul to Anthony Davis and the tantalizing talent assembled after his departure.
2003
Western Conference First Round: New Orleans Pelicans vs Philadelphia 76ers
2004
Western Conference First Round: New Orleans Pelicans vs Miami Heat
After 2004–05
What came next
Hurricane Katrina forced the club to Oklahoma City just as Paul arrived and immediately gave it a new direction.
The core