Washington Wizards Look to Finish Preseason Strong Against New Orleans Pelicans
Washington Wizards Look to Finish Preseason Strong Against New Orleans Pelicans
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog | October 15, 2026
NBA Preseason Finale
Wizards at Pelicans
Friday, October 16 · 8 p.m. ET
The Washington Wizards will wrap up their 2026 NBA preseason Friday night when they travel to Louisiana to face the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern, with the game airing on Monumental Sports Network and Monumental+. Washington enters its final exhibition with an opportunity to evaluate its revamped roster before opening the regular season against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 21.
Washington has shown encouraging signs through its first three preseason games, opening with a 111-109 victory over the New York Knicks before defeating the Detroit Pistons 114-108 in overtime. The Wizards suffered their first exhibition loss Monday, falling 131-122 against the Brooklyn Nets. Those results have offered an early glimpse of a team attempting to move beyond several difficult rebuilding seasons, although defensive consistency remains an area that needs improvement.
The Pelicans enter Friday’s matchup following a 101-97 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. New Orleans has also faced the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat during its preseason schedule. The matchup will give both coaching staffs one final opportunity to evaluate rotations, establish playing time and prepare for the start of meaningful basketball.
Washington’s New-Look Roster Creates Excitement
The Wizards enter the 2026-27 season with a significantly different roster built around a combination of experienced veterans and promising young players. Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Deandre Ayton and Khris Middleton provide the experience that Washington lacked during much of its recent rebuilding process. Meanwhile, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson and rookie AJ Dybantsa represent the young talent that could determine the franchise’s long-term direction.
Davis will be one of the most interesting players to monitor if he suits up against New Orleans. The veteran forward recorded 10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 22 minutes against Detroit before receiving a rest day against Brooklyn. His ability to protect the rim, rebound and create offense gives Washington a legitimate interior presence, particularly when paired with Sarr.
George also deserves attention following an impressive performance against Brooklyn. The young forward scored 21 points on 6-of-7 shooting, connected on all three of his 3-point attempts and added four assists and three steals. His efficient scoring demonstrated why Washington considers him an important part of its developing roster, and another strong performance could further establish his role heading into the regular season.
New Orleans Presents a Difficult Test
The Pelicans have their own reasons for optimism, particularly with Zion Williamson leading a roster that features Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, Jordan Poole and several developing young players. Williamson remains one of the league’s most dangerous interior scorers when healthy, and Washington will need disciplined defensive rotations to keep him away from the basket. Murphy provides perimeter shooting, while Jones gives New Orleans an accomplished defensive presence capable of disrupting Washington’s guards.
Former Maryland Terrapins standout Derik Queen also provides an interesting storyline for local basketball fans. Queen collected 11 rebounds in Wednesday’s victory over Dallas and has grabbed at least eight rebounds in each of his three preseason appearances. The second-year forward could see significant minutes against Washington, creating another opportunity to demonstrate his rebounding ability and offensive versatility.
Another player to watch is Jeremiah Fears, who led New Orleans in scoring, assists and steals against Dallas. The young guard has scored in double figures in all three of his preseason appearances, giving the Pelicans another developing offensive weapon. Washington will need to limit his penetration and force New Orleans into difficult perimeter attempts rather than allowing easy scoring opportunities around the basket.
Injury Updates and Rotation Questions
Washington could enter Friday’s game without several players, although the final availability decisions have not been announced. Tristan Vukcevic remains sidelined with a hip injury, while Jamir Watkins is recovering from a knee injury. Davis and Middleton have also been listed as day-to-day, making their participation something to monitor before tipoff.
New Orleans has its own injury concern with Dejounte Murray, who has been dealing with a right toe injury. Murray missed Wednesday’s game against Dallas, and his status for Friday remains uncertain. Both coaching staffs could also limit established veterans’ minutes as they attempt to avoid unnecessary injuries before the regular season.
Keys to Victory for Washington
Washington’s biggest priority should be improving its defensive execution after surrendering 131 points against Brooklyn. The Wizards must communicate effectively in transition, protect the paint and avoid giving New Orleans repeated second-chance opportunities. Their size with Davis, Sarr and Ayton could become a major advantage, but only if Washington controls the defensive glass and avoids unnecessary fouls.
Offensively, Washington needs to continue building chemistry between its veteran playmakers and younger scoring options. Young’s passing ability should create opportunities for Sarr, George and Dybantsa, while Davis can provide another offensive option near the basket. The Wizards must also value possessions, limit turnovers and demonstrate that their talented roster can produce efficient offense without sacrificing defensive intensity.
MSB Take
Friday’s preseason finale represents another important evaluation opportunity for a Washington franchise hoping to become competitive again. The additions of Young, Davis and Ayton have dramatically changed the team’s potential, but Washington still needs to prove that its veterans and young players can develop chemistry. George’s recent performance provides encouragement, while the continued development of Sarr and Dybantsa could determine how quickly the Wizards improve.
New Orleans should present a competitive challenge, especially if Williamson and Murphy receive meaningful minutes. Washington has enough size and offensive talent to compete, although preseason rotations make predicting a winner difficult. More importantly, the Wizards need to finish the exhibition schedule with improved defensive execution, a clearer rotation and momentum heading into their October 21 regular-season opener.
MSB prediction: Washington Wizards 112, New Orleans Pelicans 108. This is an editorial prediction, not a betting line.
Follow the Wizards–Pelicans game on ESPN for live scoring, statistics and highlights.
Sources: NBA.com, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, ESPN, CBS Sports and contemporary preseason reporting.
