2018–19 New Orleans Pelicans season


The 2018–19 New Orleans Pelicans season was the 17th season of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise in the National Basketball Association.
This season also marked the highest number of points scored in a game for the New Orleans franchise, with a franchise-high 149 points scored in their second game of the season on an October 19, 2018 win over the Sacramento Kings. However, the season also produced plenty of turmoil for the team through the surprising departure of DeMarcus Cousins to the Golden State Warriors in free agency, Anthony Davis announcing trade demands that ultimately were not met during this season, and the firing of general manager Dell Demps during the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend. All of this would lead the Pelicans to another losing season with Davis on the team, with a 138–136 overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns on March 16, ultimately eliminating them from playoff contention.
On May 14, 2019, after the conclusion of this season, the Pelicans won the top draft choice, making it the second time they won the lottery.
Also, this season marked the end of the Anthony Davis era in New Orleans, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on July 6, 2019.

Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege / Club
251Tony CarrPGUnited StatesPenn State

Roster

Standings

Division

Conference

Game log

Preseason

Regular season

Player statistics

Transactions

Trades

Free agency

Re-signed

Additions

Subtractions

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

PlayerAwardDate awardedRef.
Anthony DavisWestern Conference Player of the WeekNovember 19, 2018
Anthony DavisNBA All-Star January 31, 2019
Jrue HolidayNBA All-Defensive Second TeamMay 22, 2019

Records

  • The Pelicans set an NBA record in:
  • * Most combined 3-point field goals made in a game
  • ** 43 – Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors on January 16, 2019
  • The Pelicans set a franchise record in:
  • * Most points scored in a game
  • ** 149 in a win against the Sacramento Kings on October 19, 2018
  • Anthony Davis set a franchise record in:
  • * Most rebounds in a game
  • ** 26 against the Brooklyn Nets on January 2, 2019
  • Elfrid Payton tied a franchise record in:
  • * Most triple-doubles in a season
  • ** 6 – tied with Chris Paul who set the record during the 2008–09 season

    Milestones

  • On October 17, 2018, in a win against the Houston Rockets, Elfrid Payton became the first player to average 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game since Kyle Lowry did it on March 2, 2013.
  • On November 7, 2018, Jrue Holiday reached 2,000 career assists in a win against the Chicago Bulls.
  • On November 21, 2018, Anthony Davis reached 10,000 career points in a loss against the Philadelphia 76ers, becoming the eighth youngest player at 25 years and 255 days to reach the milestone.
  • On January 29, 2019, Holiday recorded 19 points, eight assists, six rebounds and six blocks in a win against the Houston Rockets, becoming the first guard in NBA history to record at least 17 points, six rebounds, seven assists and six blocks in a game.
  • On March 12, 2019, Payton recorded his second consecutive triple-double in a loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the first New Orleans player to have a triple-double in consecutive games since Chris Paul in 2008.
  • On March 16, 2019, Payton recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double in a loss against the Phoenix Suns, joining James Harden, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Russell Westbrook as the only players since the 1983–84 season to record triple-doubles in as many as four straight games.
  • On March 18, 2019, Payton recorded his fifth consecutive triple-double in a win against the Dallas Mavericks, becoming the fifth player in NBA history to record five consecutive triple-doubles, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, and Russell Westbrook.

    Team milestones

  • During the season, the Pelicans led the league in:
  • * Total two-point field goals made with 2,739
  • * Two-point field goals made per game with 33.4