New Orleans Pelicans Playoff History: Series by Year

This is a timeline with all the NBA postseason series played by the New Orleans Pelicans. It also includes data about how the team arrived to the Playoffs that year and the result of each series, since their first season in 2003 to the present.

In their 23 seasons in the NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans made the postseason 9 times. On those years they have played a total of 11 playoff series, of which they won 2 and lost 9, for a 18.2 winning percentge.

So far, they have never won a Championship or reached the Finals.

New Orleans Pelicans Playoffs Timeline

2025 Playoffs

Teams for these Playoffs are still to be determined.

2024 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (49-33 season record). They lost to the Lakers and defeated the Kings in the Western Conference Play-In.

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 0-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2023 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans didn't qualify for the Playoffs (42-40 season record, 9th in the Western Conference). They lost to the Thunder in the Western Conference Play-In.

2022 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (36-46 season record). They defeated the Clippers and defeated the Spurs in the Western Conference Play-In.

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Phoenix Suns 2-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2021 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans didn't qualify for the Playoffs (31-41 season record, 11th in the Western Conference).

2020 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-42 season record, 13th in the Western Conference).

2019 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans didn't qualify for the Playoffs (33-49 season record, 13th in the Western Conference).

2018 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 6th seed in the Western Conference (48-34 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 4-0 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 1-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

* The Warriors ended up winning the Championship.

2017 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-48 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

2016 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans didn't qualify for the Playoffs (30-52 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

2015 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference (45-37 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Golden State Warriors 0-4 in the Western Conference First Round

* The Warriors ended up winning the Championship.

2014 Playoffs

The New Orleans Pelicans didn't qualify for the Playoffs (34-48 season record, 12th in the Western Conference).

2013 Playoffs

The New Orleans Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (27-55 season record, 14th in the Western Conference).

2012 Playoffs

The New Orleans Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (21-45 season record, 15th in the Western Conference).

2011 Playoffs

The New Orleans Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Western Conference (46-36 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 2-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2010 Playoffs

The New Orleans Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (37-45 season record, 11th in the Western Conference).

2009 Playoffs

The New Orleans Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 7th seed in the Western Conference (49-33 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Denver Nuggets 1-4 in the Western Conference First Round

2008 Playoffs

The New Orleans Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 2nd seed in the Western Conference (56-26 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Defeated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in the Western Conference First Round
  • -
    Lost to the San Antonio Spurs 3-4 in the Western Conference Semifinals

2007 Playoffs

The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (39-43 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

2006 Playoffs

The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (38-44 season record, 10th in the Western Conference).

2005 Playoffs

The New Orleans Hornets didn't qualify for the Playoffs (18-64 season record, 15th in the Western Conference).

2004 Playoffs

The New Orleans Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (41-41 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Miami Heat 3-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round

2003 Playoffs

The New Orleans Hornets qualified for the NBA Playoffs as the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference (47-35 season record).

Playoff Series:

  • -
    Lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 2-4 in the Eastern Conference First Round
- end of timeline