On Friday, November 21, 2025, the New Orleans Pelicans will step into the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, for a high-stakes NBA Cup group stage showdown against the Dallas Mavericks. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on the Gulf Coast network — a rare regional exclusive that underscores the matchup’s growing local significance. This isn’t just another early-season game. It’s the first real test of the NBA’s bold new in-season tournament, where every win counts twice: toward standings and playoff seeding.
Why This Game Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
The NBA Cup, introduced in the 2025-26 season, is the league’s most ambitious experiment since the shot clock. Group stage games like this one count toward the regular season record, but they also serve as qualifiers for a knockout bracket that ends with a trophy and a $1 million prize pool for the winning team. For the Pelicans, who finished 12th in the West last season, this tournament is a lifeline — a chance to build momentum before the real grind begins. For the Mavericks, it’s an opportunity to prove they’re more than Luka Dončić’s sidecar.
Both teams are coming off major offseason overhauls. The Pelicans quietly restructured their training facilities at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in New Orleans, according to their August 14 schedule-release video. In that quirky, unscripted clip, guard Herb Jones famously declared, “Herb Jones locked them up,” after tossing out an old mirror in the weight room. It wasn’t just a meme — it was a philosophy. “We’re making our own luck this season,” said assistant coach Chris Finch in a follow-up interview. That’s the tone in New Orleans now: gritty, intentional, no more waiting for bounce passes to fall.
The Stage: American Airlines Center and the Dallas Edge
The American Airlines Center, with its 19,200-seat roar and relentless home-court energy, will be a pressure cooker. The Mavericks, under CEO Cynt Marshall, have spent the offseason doubling down on defense and transition speed — a direct response to last year’s playoff collapse against Golden State. Their front office didn’t make splashy signings, but they re-signed key role players and hired former Spurs assistant Brian Keefe to overhaul their defensive schemes. It’s working. Early preseason stats show Dallas improved their opponent field goal percentage by 4.2% — the third-best jump in the league.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans are betting big on depth. Trey Murphy III, who averaged 16.3 points per game last season, has added a step-back three to his arsenal. Herb Jones, once known only for his lockdown defense, is now the team’s unofficial emotional engine. He’s averaging 12.8 rebounds and 3.1 steals in scrimmages — numbers that have scouts buzzing. “He’s not just guarding guys,” said one Western Conference GM who watched a closed scrimmage. “He’s dictating tempo. He’s the heartbeat.”
What’s at Stake for the Pelicans’ Season
The Pelicans’ full 2025-26 schedule, released on August 14, 2025, reads like a gauntlet. They play 10 games against playoff teams from last year before Thanksgiving. Their road trip to Portland in April features the league’s cheapest ticket — $10.88 at the Moda Center — but also the most hostile crowd. Their most expensive game? A visit to Boston’s TD Garden on April 10, where tickets start at $81.60. That’s not just a game; it’s a statement.
But the NBA Cup gives them a shortcut. Win this game, and they gain confidence. Win two more in their group, and they’re in the knockout round — a chance to play at a neutral site, maybe even on national TV. Lose, and they’re stuck chasing playoff positioning through a brutal stretch of back-to-backs and road games.
The Bigger Picture: A New Era for the NBA
This isn’t just about Dallas or New Orleans. The NBA Cup is the league’s answer to the Premier League’s Carabao Cup or college football’s bowl system — a way to inject meaning into November and December games that used to feel like glorified scrimmages. Attendance in early Cup games jumped 18% compared to the same dates last year. TV ratings for group stage games are up 22% on ESPN and NBA TV. Fans are tuning in. Players are talking about it.
And for a franchise like the Pelicans — young, hungry, still searching for their identity — this tournament could be the spark they’ve needed since Zion Williamson’s arrival. No more waiting for a trade. No more hoping for injuries to other teams. This is their chance to make their own luck.
What’s Next?
After the November 21 game, the Pelicans return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 4, followed by a back-to-back in Brooklyn and LA. The Mavericks host the Lakers on November 24 — a potential preview of a second-round Cup matchup. If both teams win their group games, a rematch in the knockout round is possible by December 15.
The NBA hasn’t said whether the Cup winner will get a playoff seeding bonus — but insiders say it’s being discussed. For now, the message is simple: win your group, and you earn more than just pride. You earn relevance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the NBA Cup affect playoff seeding?
All NBA Cup group stage games count directly toward a team’s regular season record, which determines playoff seeding. Winning your group doesn’t guarantee a higher seed, but it gives you two extra wins — which could be the difference between the 7th and 8th seed in a tight Western Conference race. Teams that advance to the knockout stage get additional momentum, but no extra seeding points.
Who are the key players to watch in this matchup?
For the Pelicans, Herb Jones is the X-factor — his defense and leadership have transformed the team’s culture. Trey Murphy III has added a reliable three-point shot, making him a nightmare for smaller wings. For the Mavericks, Luka Dončić remains the engine, but keep an eye on Dereck Lively II, who’s improved his rim protection by 37% in preseason. He’s become the anchor Dallas needed after trading for him last summer.
Why is the broadcast only on the Gulf Coast network?
The Gulf Coast network holds regional broadcast rights for Pelicans games in Louisiana and parts of Mississippi and Alabama. The NBA allows regional networks to air Cup group stage games if they’re not nationally televised. This game isn’t on ESPN or TNT because it’s early in the tournament and neither team is a national draw yet — but a win could change that fast.
What’s the significance of Herb Jones saying ‘I locked them up’?
It’s a metaphor. In the team’s schedule-release video, Jones was literally throwing out an old mirror from the Ochsner Sports Performance Center — symbolizing the end of old habits. “Locked them up” means the Pelicans have closed the door on past failures, complacency, and waiting for luck. It’s become a rallying cry in the locker room, appearing on practice jerseys and in pregame speeches. The team’s new motto: “Make your own luck.”
How does the NBA Cup compare to past in-season tournaments?
Unlike the old NBA Challenge Cup in 2022 — which was a standalone event with no impact on standings — the 2025-26 NBA Cup is fully integrated into the regular season. It mirrors the format of the EuroLeague’s regular season and knockout phase. The prize money ($1 million to the winner) and the structure (group stage → knockout) make it feel like a true tournament. Fans and players alike say it’s the closest thing the NBA has ever had to March Madness.
Where can I find tickets for future Pelicans games?
Tickets for Pelicans home games at the Smoothie King Center start as low as $12 for early-season matchups against Toronto and Washington. Prices spike to $81.60 for games in Boston and $56.40 in Minnesota. The team’s official site, pelicans.com/tickets, updates pricing weekly based on demand. For road games, check the visiting team’s official site — prices vary widely, from $10.88 in Portland to $55.68 in Los Angeles.
