Preview: Pelicans at Jazz, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — Two teams near the bottom of the Western Conference standings meet when the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on Thursday night. The Pelicans (16-42) and Jazz (18-40) have struggled for consistency all season, making this a matchup with significant implications for draft lottery positioning. New Orleans enters having split its last 10 games, coming off a 126-111 home victory over Philadelphia on Feb. 21. Utah has lost seven of its last 10, including a 125-105 road defeat to Houston on Monday. The game features a compelling individual matchup between two forwards carrying significant offensive loads for their respective teams. New Orleans will rely on All-Star Zion Williamson, who is averaging 21.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He is coming off a strong all-around performance against the 76ers, posting 21 points, six rebounds and eight assists. Over his last five games, Williamson is averaging 24.8 points and 5.6 assists, showcasing his evolving playmaking role. For Utah, second-year forward Brice Sensabaugh has emerged as a primary scoring option. He leads the Jazz with 23.8 points per game and is fresh off a 26-point outing against Houston. Sensabaugh has scored 19 or more points in six of his last 10 contests, providing a bright spot in a difficult season. Other key contributors for New Orleans include guard Jordan Poole, who scored 23 points in the win over Philadelphia, and center DeAndre Jordan, who pulled down 15 rebounds in that game. Utah will counter with forward Lauri Markkanen (21.4 ppg), who had 29 points against Houston, and rookie Kyle Filipowski, who adds versatility in the frontcourt. This is the first of a quick two-game set between the teams in Salt Lake City, with a rematch scheduled for Saturday. The Pelicans then embark on a challenging five-game road trip through Los Angeles, Sacramento and Phoenix. The Jazz will host Denver on Monday before starting a four-game Eastern Conference road swing. While postseason hopes are dim for both clubs, the contest offers a chance for young players to develop and for franchise cornerstones like Williamson and Sensabaugh to showcase their talents in a head-to-head battle. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST.