The NBA released the full 2025-26 regular season schedule Thursday, and for a Pelicans team coming off a 21-61 record, there are some notable changes — and challenges — ahead. Here are four quick takeaways from New Orleans’ 82-game slate: 1. Only two nationally televised games The Pelicans will open the season with just two national TV appearances — one on ESPN and one on Peacock. That’s a steep drop from last year’s 13 national broadcasts and the 12 from the year before. The total could change later in the season if New Orleans exceeds expectations, but for now, the national spotlight will be rare. 2. No Christmas Day or MLK Jr. Day game The Pelicans won’t play on Christmas Day or Martin Luther King Jr. Day this season. They will, however, be in Chicago on New Year’s Eve. 3. Mardi Gras trip scrapped In recent years, the Pelicans have been on the road during Mardi Gras, but not this season. The NBA’s All-Star break falls during Carnival, keeping New Orleans at home. The team’s longest road trip is a six-game Western Conference swing from late February into early March. 4. Road-heavy start The Pelicans will play seven of their first 10 games on the road. Season opener: Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Memphis Home opener: Friday, Oct. 24 vs. San Antonio — featuring Victor Wembanyama and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper Notable games OKC Thunder (NBA champions) — only visit to New Orleans is Monday, Nov. 17 Houston Rockets with Kevin Durant — Thursday, Dec. 18 C.J. McCollum and the Washington Wizards — Sunday, March 8 Brandon Ingram and the Toronto Raptors — Wednesday, March 11 New Orleans will close the season at Minnesota. Time will tell if the finale has playoff implications in the first year of the Joe Dumars era.