When Was the Last Time the Pelicans Won the NBA Finals?

Regardless of what happens this postseason, the New Orleans Pelicans' story of actually making it into the playoffs is a commendable one.

At the end of January, the Pels were 18-32 and on the outside looking in for the NBA Play-In Tournament. In the final two and half months, they doubled up their win total to finish at 36-46, defeating both the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers to make it in as the 8-seed.

From that point forward, the Pelicans ranked eighth in the NBA in offensive rating, and top 10 in defensive rating. They closed down the second half with the eighth-best net rating in the entire league.

The Pelicans are now back in the postseason for the first time since 2018. While massive underdogs against the Phoenix Suns in their first round series, can New Orleans actually make it to the Finals, and also win it? Furthermore, when was the last time either have happened?

When Was the Last Time the New Orleans Pelicans Won the NBA Finals?

The Pelicans have never won a ring in their franchise history dating back to the 2002-03 season.

Originally the Charlotte Hornets, Buzz City migrated southwest to New Orleans following a 15-year run in North Carolina. Eventually, Charlotte would get an expansion club in the Bobcats, only to become the Hornets again during the 2014-15 season. They too, have never won an NBA title.

But, back to New Orleans.

Following Hurricane Katrina, the Hornets left New Orleans for Oklahoma City for two seasons before returning home in 2007. Then in 2013, the Hornets changed their name to the Pelicans, and introducing the basketball world to the most horrifying-looking mascot of all-time: King Baby.

The closest New Orleans has gotten to the NBA Finals was in 2017-18, losing in the Western Conference semifinals to the Golden State Warriors in five games.

Pelicans Odds to Win the NBA Championship, Western Conference

Already down 1-0 to the No. 1 seeded Phoenix Suns, the Pelicans' pursuit of a Western Conference championship, as well as the Larry O'Brien trophy will likely come down the road.

The Pelicans are +1400 at WynnBET Sportsbook to win the series and upset the Suns, let alone advance to the conference finals or NBA finals.

If they come back in their series, they would actually have a somewhat winnable opportunity in the second round against either the No. 5 seeded Utah Jazz, or the No. 4 seed Dallas Mavericks. Dallas currently does not have star Luka Doncic available, as he remains injured with a calf strain with no updated timetable.

In the bottom half of the bracket, the winner of the 3-6 matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets plays the winner of 7-2 series between the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves. The winner of that second round would then meet up in the West Finals.

Should the Pels shock the basketball world and advance through the first two rounds, there could be a hefty payday in store. New Orleans currently sits at +5000 over at WynnBET to win the West, and +10000 to hold up the Larry O'Brien trophy at the end of the playoffs.

Who are the teams worth betting on this postseason? The BetSided team plays a little "Fraud or Future" for every NBA contender.