As of April 25, 2026, the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans have concluded their respective campaigns for the 2025-26 NBA regular season. There are no games scheduled between these two franchises today. Their most recent encounter, which took place on April 7, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center, serves as the definitive closing chapter for their seasonal series. In that matchup, the New Orleans Pelicans delivered a record-breaking performance, defeating the Utah Jazz with a staggering final score of 156–137.

The game was characterized by offensive efficiency and a historic individual performance from Pelicans' rookie Jeremiah Fears, who etched his name into the franchise record books. While both teams finished outside of the playoff picture—the Pelicans at 26–54 and the Jazz at 21–59—the final meeting provided a glimpse into the developmental progress of their respective young rosters.

Jeremiah Fears Sets Rookie Scoring Record in High-Octane Performance

The standout narrative of the April 7 matchup was undoubtedly the play of Jeremiah Fears. The seventh overall pick in the draft demonstrated why he is considered a cornerstone of the New Orleans future. Fears recorded a career-high 40 points, surpassing the previous Pelicans rookie scoring record of 37 points held by Marcus Thornton since 2010.

Fears showcased an elite ability to navigate the paint and finish against contact, shooting 17-of-29 from the field. Although his perimeter shooting was modest—hitting only 1-of-7 from beyond the arc—his mid-range game and transition scoring were unstoppable. Fears complemented his scoring output with 6 assists and 5 rebounds, orchestrating an offense that seemed to find a seam in the Utah defense on nearly every possession. This performance was particularly vital given the absence of several regular starters, including Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Dejounte Murray, who were sidelined or rested for the home finale.

The impact of Fears’ performance extended beyond the box score. His ability to draw multiple defenders opened opportunities for teammates, leading to a balanced offensive attack that saw the Pelicans set a new franchise record for total points in a single game (156), breaking the previous record of 153 also set against Utah in early 2024.

Jordan Poole and the Third Quarter Explosion That Stunned Utah

While Fears provided the consistency throughout the game, Jordan Poole delivered the knockout blow in the third quarter. Poole, who transitioned into a primary scoring role off the bench for much of the season, started this contest and finished with 34 points. His most significant contribution came during a historic third-quarter stretch where New Orleans scored 50 points—a franchise record for a single period.

Poole accounted for 22 points in that quarter alone, hitting multiple three-pointers that demoralized the Utah perimeter defense. The Jazz had actually entered the halftime break with a lead, outscoring the Pelicans 69-61 in the first half. However, the shift in momentum following the intermission was absolute. The Pelicans’ 50-27 third-quarter run effectively ended the contest before the fourth quarter began.

New Orleans’ offensive strategy focused heavily on attacking the interior. They finished the game with 90 points in the paint, capitalizing on the absence of Utah's primary rim protectors who were out due to late-season injuries. The Pelicans’ ball movement was crisp, totaling 28 assists, with Kennedy Chandler and Micah Peavy contributing significantly to the transition game.

Jazz Resiliency Led by Kennedy Chandler Amid Losing Streak

The Utah Jazz entered the April 7 game struggling with a 10-game losing streak, yet they displayed significant offensive firepower in the first half. Kennedy Chandler led the way for Utah with 31 points, supported by 8 assists and 7 rebounds. Chandler’s ability to penetrate the Pelicans' defense early in the game allowed Utah to build a double-digit lead in the second quarter.

Cody Williams also provided a bright spot for the Jazz, contributing 26 points. The Jazz offense relied heavily on second-chance opportunities, outrebounding the Pelicans 63-45 in previous matchups, but in this finale, they struggled to contain New Orleans' fast-break points (44-22 in favor of the Pelicans).

Despite the loss, Utah saw a career-best performance from Bez Mbeng, a first-year player out of Yale, who added 26 points in just his 13th professional game. John Konchar also recorded a rare triple-double for the Jazz with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, demonstrating the versatile, positionless basketball Utah has attempted to implement during their rebuilding phase.

The primary issue for Utah was defensive transition. Allowing 156 points highlighted the structural gaps in a roster heavily impacted by injuries to key players like Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Jusuf Nurkic. The Jazz finished the season losing 14 of their final 15 games, a trend they will look to reverse through the upcoming draft and free agency.

Historical Context and Franchise Scoring Milestones

The rivalry between the Jazz and the Pelicans in the 2025-26 season has been defined by historically high scores and dramatic shifts. On January 20, 2025, these teams played a game that saw the Pelicans orchestrate a 25-point comeback—the largest in franchise history—to win 123-119 in overtime. In that instance, CJ McCollum was the hero with 45 points.

The April 7, 2026, game mirrored that high-scoring trend but with a younger cast of characters. The 156 points scored by New Orleans represents the peak of their offensive output in the modern era. It is notable that Utah has been the opponent for the Pelicans' two highest-scoring games in franchise history (156 points in 2026 and 153 points in 2024).

For the Pelicans, the season finale was about more than just a win; it was about snapping an eight-game losing streak and providing the home crowd at the Smoothie King Center with a sense of optimism. The development of rookies like Jeremiah Fears and Derek Queen (who had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the finale) suggests that the foundation for the 2026-27 season is stronger than their 26-54 record might indicate.

Comparative Team Statistics: April 7, 2026

Statistic Utah Jazz New Orleans Pelicans
Final Score 137 156
Points in Paint 78 90
Fast Break Points 22 44
Rebounds 53 38
Turnovers 23 28
Field Goal % 39.6% 44.6%

The data indicates that while Utah was more effective on the boards and forced more turnovers, they could not match the sheer volume and efficiency of New Orleans' transition offense. The Pelicans' 44 fast-break points were a season-high and a primary factor in the 19-point victory margin.

Summary of the 2025-26 Series

The 2025-26 season series between the Jazz and Pelicans has been a showcase of the NBA's shift toward high-pace, high-scoring basketball. Both teams have leaned into youth movements, prioritizing the development of draft picks over immediate veteran-led success.

New Orleans finishes the series with a clear offensive identity, centered around the playmaking of Jeremiah Fears and the scoring versatility of Jordan Poole. Utah, conversely, enters the off-season with questions regarding defensive stability and health, but with the knowledge that players like Kennedy Chandler and Bez Mbeng can produce at a high level when given the opportunity.

FAQ

When is the next Jazz vs Pelicans game? There are no more games scheduled for the 2025-26 season. The schedule for the 2026-27 NBA season is typically released in August.

Who holds the record for most points in a Pelicans vs Jazz game? Jeremiah Fears set the Pelicans rookie record with 40 points on April 7, 2026. CJ McCollum previously scored 45 points against Utah in an overtime win in January 2025.

What was the final record for the Pelicans and Jazz in 2026? The Pelicans finished the 2025-26 season with a record of 26–54. The Utah Jazz finished the season with a record of 21–59.

Did the Pelicans or Jazz make the 2026 Playoffs? No, both teams were eliminated from playoff contention prior to the conclusion of the regular season.

Conclusion

The April 7, 2026, meeting between the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans was a historic night that saw franchise records tumble and a new star emerge in Jeremiah Fears. While the season as a whole was challenging for both organizations, the offensive explosion in the finale serves as a significant data point for their future trajectories. As the 2025-26 season closes, both teams will turn their attention to the draft and roster adjustments, hoping to translate individual brilliance into collective success in the coming year.