Wednesday, January 14, 2026

New Orleans Pelicans Trivia Quiz: 20 Questions to Test Your Fandom

 


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New Orleans Pelicans Trivia Quiz: 20 Questions to Test Your Fandom

From the "Crescent City" to the hardwood of the Smoothie King Center, the New Orleans Pelicans have carved out a unique and resilient legacy in the NBA. Whether you’ve been a fan since the Baron Davis era or jumped on board with the arrival of Zion Williamson, this deep-dive trivia challenge will test your knowledge of franchise history, legendary performances, and the stars who have called the Big Easy home.
1. In what year did the franchise officially rebrand from the "Hornets" to the "Pelicans"?
  • A) 2011
  • B) 2012
  • C) 2013
  • D) 2015
Answer: C) 2013

The Story Behind the Stat: Owner Tom Benson sought a name that better reflected the culture and wildlife of Louisiana. The Brown Pelican is the state bird, and the rebrand allowed the Charlotte Bobcats to eventually reclaim the "Hornets" moniker.
2. Which player was the first-ever #1 overall draft pick in franchise history?
  • A) Chris Paul
  • B) Anthony Davis
  • C) Zion Williamson
  • D) Tyson Chandler
Answer: B) Anthony Davis

The Story Behind the Stat: Selected first overall in 2012 out of Kentucky, "The Brow" immediately became the face of the franchise. He led the team to multiple playoff appearances before his eventual departure in 2019.
3. Due to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the team played the majority of its home games in which city from 2005 to 2007?
  • A) Baton Rouge
  • B) Houston
  • C) Oklahoma City
  • D) Memphis
Answer: C) Oklahoma City

The Story Behind the Stat: Following Hurricane Katrina, the team was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. The warm reception they received in OKC eventually helped prove that the city was ready for its own permanent team, the Thunder.
4. Who holds the franchise record for the most points scored in a single regular-season game?
  • A) Zion Williamson
  • B) Brandon Ingram
  • C) Chris Paul
  • D) Anthony Davis
Answer: D) Anthony Davis

The Story Behind the Stat: Davis dropped a staggering 59 points against the Detroit Pistons on February 21, 2016. He also grabbed 20 rebounds in that game, becoming one of the few players in NBA history to achieve a 50/20 stat line.
5. Which Pelicans head coach won the NBA Coach of the Year award for the 2007-08 season?
  • A) Monty Williams
  • B) Byron Scott
  • C) Paul Silas
  • D) Alvin Gentry
Answer: B) Byron Scott

The Story Behind the Stat: Scott led the 2007-08 squad to a franchise-best 56-26 record. Under his leadership and Chris Paul’s brilliance, the team came within one game of the Western Conference Finals.

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6. Who is the franchise’s all-time leader in assists?
  • A) Jrue Holiday
  • B) Baron Davis
  • C) Chris Paul
  • D) Rajon Rondo
Answer: C) Chris Paul

The Story Behind the Stat: "CP3" tallied 4,228 assists during his tenure in New Orleans. He is widely considered the greatest "pure" point guard in the history of the organization, winning the assist title twice while wearing the teal and gold.
7. In 2020, which Pelicans player was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player?
  • A) Brandon Ingram
  • B) Lonzo Ball
  • C) Josh Hart
  • D) Herbert Jones
Answer: A) Brandon Ingram

The Story Behind the Stat: After arriving from the Lakers, Ingram flourished in New Orleans, averaging 23.8 points per game in his first season. His elite scoring and playmaking earned him his first All-Star nod and the MIP trophy.
8. What is the name of the Pelicans' official mascot?
  • A) Hugo
  • B) Pierre
  • C) Gumbo
  • D) Sir Saint
Answer: B) Pierre

The Story Behind the Stat: Pierre the Pelican debuted in 2013. His original look was considered so "scary" by fans that the team famously gave him "reconstructive surgery" (a mascot redesign) to make him more kid-friendly.
9. Which player was the centerpiece of the 2019 blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers?
  • A) Julius Randle
  • B) Brandon Ingram
  • C) Buddy Hield
  • D) DeMarcus Cousins
Answer: B) Brandon Ingram

The Story Behind the Stat: The trade was a franchise-altering moment that brought in Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and a haul of draft picks. It effectively ended the Davis era and launched the current "Pels 12" youth movement.
10. Before becoming the Pelicans, the franchise returned the "Hornets" name and history to which city?
  • A) Charlotte
  • B) Salt Lake City
  • C) Minneapolis
  • D) Toronto
Answer: A) Charlotte

The Story Behind the Stat: In a unique deal with the NBA, New Orleans agreed to relinquish the Hornets' name and records from the Charlotte era (1988–2002) back to the city of Charlotte, allowing the Bobcats to become the Hornets again.
11. Which sharpshooter holds the franchise record for the most three-pointers made in a single game (11)?
  • A) Peja Stojaković
  • B) CJ McCollum
  • C) Trey Murphy III
  • D) Ryan Anderson
Answer: B) CJ McCollum

The Story Behind the Stat: McCollum set the record on December 30, 2022, against the Philadelphia 76ers. His veteran leadership and elite perimeter shooting have been vital to the team's spacing in the Zion era.
12. Who was the first head coach of the team after they moved from Charlotte to New Orleans in 2002?
  • A) Tim Floyd
  • B) Byron Scott
  • C) Paul Silas
  • D) Jeff Bower
Answer: C) Paul Silas

The Story Behind the Stat: Silas moved with the team from Charlotte and coached the inaugural 2002-03 season in New Orleans. He led the team to a 47-35 record and a playoff berth in their first year in the Big Easy.
13. Against which team did Zion Williamson make his highly anticipated NBA debut in January 2020?
  • A) Los Angeles Lakers
  • B) San Antonio Spurs
  • C) Dallas Mavericks
  • D) Houston Rockets
Answer: B) San Antonio Spurs

The Story Behind the Stat: Zion’s debut was legendary; he scored 17 consecutive points in the fourth quarter, including four straight three-pointers. It remains one of the most electrifying debuts in NBA history.
14. Which Pelicans player famously recorded a "triple-double" with blocks instead of assists in 2018?
  • A) Anthony Davis
  • B) DeMarcus Cousins
  • C) Jrue Holiday
  • D) Emeka Okafor
Answer: A) Anthony Davis

The Story Behind the Stat: On March 11, 2018, Davis recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds, and a franchise-record 10 blocks against the Jazz. It was a masterclass in defensive dominance.
15. What is the name of the Pelicans' home arena?
  • A) Caesars Superdome
  • B) Smoothie King Center
  • C) SKC Arena
  • D) New Orleans Municipal Auditorium
Answer: B) Smoothie King Center

The Story Behind the Stat: Located right next to the Superdome, the "Blender" has been the team's home since 2002. It underwent significant renovations following the 2013 rebrand to match the Pelicans' navy, gold, and red color scheme.
16. In 2008, the team won its first and only Southwest Division title. Who was their primary rival in that race?
  • A) San Antonio Spurs
  • B) Dallas Mavericks
  • C) Houston Rockets
  • D) Memphis Grizzlies
Answer: A) San Antonio Spurs

The Story Behind the Stat: The 2007-08 race went down to the wire, with New Orleans edging out the defending champion Spurs for the division crown. It remains the high-water mark for the franchise's regular-season success.
17. Which player, known as "The Grindfather," spent a brief stint with the Pelicans in 2017-18?
  • A) Tony Allen
  • B) Zach Randolph
  • C) Vince Carter
  • D) Mike Conley
Answer: A) Tony Allen

The Story Behind the Stat: Though he only played 22 games for the Pelicans, Allen brought a veteran defensive mindset to the locker room. He was eventually traded to the Bulls as part of the deal that brought Nikola Mirotić to New Orleans.
18. Who is the franchise leader in total rebounds?
  • A) David West
  • B) Anthony Davis
  • C) P.J. Brown
  • D) Tyson Chandler
Answer: B) Anthony Davis

The Story Behind the Stat: Davis leads the franchise in almost every major statistical category, including rebounds (4,906). His length and athleticism made him a double-double machine throughout the 2010s.
19. Which Pelicans star won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award in 2017 while playing in front of his home crowd?
  • A) Chris Paul
  • B) Anthony Davis
  • C) DeMarcus Cousins
  • D) Zion Williamson
Answer: B) Anthony Davis

The Story Behind the Stat: Davis scored an All-Star record (at the time) 52 points in the 2017 game held in New Orleans. The performance was a gift to the local fans and showcased his incredible versatility.
20. Who is the current head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans (as of the 2023-24 season)?
  • A) Willie Green
  • B) Stan Van Gundy
  • C) Alvin Gentry
  • D) Kenny Atkinson
Answer: A) Willie Green

The Story Behind the Stat: A former player known for his toughness, Green has been praised for building a strong defensive culture and connecting with the team's young stars. He led the Pels back to the playoffs in his first season (2021-22).

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