On Saturday night, the New Orleans Pelicans secured a 126-111 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers, bouncing back after a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks the previous evening. While the starting appearance of 37-year-old DeAndre Jordan attracted attention, the standout story was Jordan Poole’s impressive resurgence. Poole delivered a crucial performance that could mark a turning point in his season and the team’s outlook.
Having been sidelined from the rotation for the team’s final nine games before the All-Star break, Poole was reinstated by interim coach James Borrego, who trusted him with meaningful minutes. Poole responded by scoring 23 points, along with three rebounds and five assists, with an efficient shooting accuracy of 53.3 percent. Notably, 18 of those points came in the second half when the Pelicans faced offensive struggles, showcasing Poole’s ability to take control and create scoring opportunities through floaters and deep three-pointers.
Poole’s Skills Fill a Unique Role for the Pelicans
Jordan Poole’s performance demonstrated his distinct talent that no other guard on New Orleans’ roster possesses—the capacity to generate his own offense while spacing the floor effectively. Amid questions about Poole’s place following his time out of the rotation and the anticipated return of Dejounte Murray, the Pelicans’ backcourt dynamics have become more complicated. However, Poole’s recent ability to consistently hit shots—including five three-pointers against Philadelphia—makes his role indispensable moving forward.
Throughout the game, Poole played with a noticeable intensity, as if fueled by the challenge of proving his worth. His return to the lineup feels like a second chance to secure a meaningful role on a team rebuilding its identity. Despite being sidelined earlier due to trade discussions, Poole’s determination during this critical stretch suggests he’s ready to fight for a stable spot in the rotation.
What This Means for the Pelicans’ Playoff Hopes
With Murray expected to return soon, the Pelicans’ guard rotation will grow deeper, putting pressure on Poole to maintain his strong play. This moment could define his season, as sustained performances like his breakout game against the 76ers could make New Orleans a more dangerous team than their 16-42 record implies. If Poole continues to carry that competitive edge, the Pelicans might transform into a difficult matchup for any opponent vying for a playoff spot in the final games of the season.
The next few weeks will be telling for Poole and the Pelicans, as they look to leverage their untapped talent and disrupt other teams’ postseason aspirations. How Poole and the team capitalize on this momentum will shape their trajectory during the crucial final 20 or so games.
Poole weaves his way through traffic to find the open space pic.twitter.com/OM1jZGmTeJ
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) February 22, 2026
Have a night Jordan Poole pic.twitter.com/XqaBSk9rGv
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) February 22, 2026
Jordan Poole highlight tape pic.twitter.com/j8jUyp6V4M
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) February 22, 2026
