A disruptive defensive performance by New Orleans in Wednesday’s preseason win at Dallas featured numerous high-impact plays, including 14 steals and seven blocks, but the possessions that caused the biggest reaction from the visitor’s bench didn’t include an individual stat. En route to holding the Mavericks to a rough 18-point first quarter, the Pelicans’ defense quickly forced multiple shot-clock violations, preventing the hosts from even a chance to score within the allotted 24 seconds.
“I thought our guys were very connected; I think that’s a great word (to describe them),” New Orleans head coach Jamahl Mosley said following the 101-97 victory. “They were communicating with one another, flying around, covering for one another, doing it without fouling. We had two or three shot-clock violations. That’s just their ability to sit down and take on the challenge of being the most physical team early, to set the tone.”
“It just shows that you’re locked in throughout the whole defensive possession,” Pelicans wing and top defender Herb Jones said of Dallas’ clock violations.
After allowing 110 and 128 points to Oklahoma City and Miami, respectively, while splitting two previous exhibition games, New Orleans (2-1 in preseason) clamped down significantly on Dallas, holding the Mavericks to 35 percent shooting from the field and 20 percent on three-pointers (10 of 49). Dallas was playing without top scorers Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, but New Orleans demonstrated improved energy, physicality and communication at that end of the floor. It’s perhaps the biggest key for the Pelicans in 2026-27 to make a jump in the Western Conference standings, after placing 29th and 23rd in the NBA on defense in consecutive non-playoff years.
Jamahl Mosley on goals for final preseason game, Herb Jones | Pelicans Preseason 2026
New Orleans Pelicans Head Coach Jamahl Mosley speaks with the media following practices at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
Herb Jones on team defense, Jeremiah Fears | Pelicans Preseason 2026
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Herb Jones speaks with the media following practices at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
Karlo Matković on his performance, Zion Williamson | Pelicans Preseason 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Karlo Matković speaks with the media following practices at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
Yves Missi talks Pelicans preseason win vs. Mavericks 10/14/2026
New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi’s postgame interview after the Pelicans’ win against the Dallas Mavericks on October 14 during the 2026 NBA Preseason.
Pelicans Highlights vs. Mavericks | 2026 NBA Preseason
New Orleans Pelicans highlights vs. the Dallas Mavericks on October 14 during the 2026 NBA Preseason.
Jamahl Mosley recaps Pelicans’ preseason win vs. Mavericks 10/14/2026
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley’s postgame interview after the Pelicans’ win against the Dallas Mavericks on October 14 during the 2026 NBA Preseason.
Jeremiah Fears Highlights vs. Dallas Mavericks 10/14/2026
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears’ highlights vs. the Dallas Mavericks on October 14 during the 2026 NBA Preseason.
Jeremiah Fears on-court interview after Pelicans win vs. Mavericks 10/14/2026
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears’ on-court interview after the Pelicans’ win against the Dallas Mavericks (10/14/2026).
“They believe that’s what’s going to get you over the top,” Mosley said of his players’ defensive focus. “Understanding we can score the ball at times, but defense sustains you. There are going to be things we have to clean up in our process of getting better, but I did like the effort, the energy and us flying around. Setting the tone physically early is exactly what we’ll need to continue to do.”
Yves Missi anchored New Orleans’ defense in the paint by swatting four Dallas shots, while 20th birthday boy Jeremiah Fears seized a team-best three steals.
“We were physical,” said Missi, who ranked second in the NBA in blocks per 36 minutes after the All-Star break last season, behind only Victor Wembanyama. “It was good intensity. Everyone was moving their feet and communicating… you can see us getting better at (defense) and more comfortable.”
While trying to start the regular season in much better fashion after going 0-6 a year ago, New Orleans is scheduled to face Indiana (Wednesday) and Utah (Oct. 23), potentially two of the league’s most improved teams. Next up are consecutive meetings vs. Denver, the NBA’s top-ranked offense in 2025-26. New Orleans will need to immediately be ready to defend at a high level, something Mosley indicated is a priority at the outset of every first quarter.
“The coaches are doing an unbelievable job of putting in the system, understanding what we need them to be doing,” Mosley said of his defense. “I was very happy with (Pelicans players’) intensity and the way they started the game. It’s so important the way you walk into an NBA game, setting the tone early.”
“Just keep improving,” Missi said of one of Mosley’s defense-focused messages to players. “Everyone is buying into that.”