NBA Power Rankings: The Pelicans have soared into contender territory

The New Orleans Pelicans have been mostly on the outside looking in in the Western Conference this season. From an outside perspective, the team’s season has been mostly unremarkable.

Most people probably just remember the team getting blown away by the Lakers in the NBA In-Season Tournament. Other than that, most conversations around this team have surrounded Zion Williamson’s weight and a weird Stephen A. Smith internet tiff.

But I’m here to tell you today that the Pelicans are true contenders. New Orleans is playing the best basketball of its season at the right time and is inching closer and closer to the Clippers, who can’t seem to keep a tight grip on the No. 4 seed. The Pelicans are only half a game back on L.A. for a homecourt playoff spot.

There’s still plenty of basketball left to be played this season. The Pelicans still have a long way to go. But this is a team that you need to watch out for when April and May roll around. We may even be talking about them as we go into June.