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The New Orleans Pelicans were served a massive slap in the face during the NBA's Thursday wrap-up to schedule release week. The Pelicans, along with four other teams, were each awarded the fewest prime-time games, two. Those two prime-time games are both of New Orleans' games overseas as part of their international series against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. However, that’s not the worst thing the league's schedule makers did to the Pelicans in 2026-27, as New Orleans was served up the most back-to-back games in the league, 16. Obviously, some team every year has to be the one to get kicked in the teeth a little and be stuck playing more back-to-backs than others. But for a franchise that over the last three or more seasons has been so heavily impacted by injuries and players not being able to stay healthy, this is a massive gut punch from the league. Another tough break for the Pelicans It would be one thing if the only player dealing with consistent health issues was the team's lead man, Zion Williamson, but New Orleans' injury issues are way bigger than a one-player problem. Three other Pelicans who most fans project to start alongside Zion next season all have their own injury histories. Over the last two years, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray have dealt with major injuries, had surgeries, and also just been banged up day to day. Not to mention Saddiq Bey, who is expected to play a key role as potentially this team's sixth man, is a year removed from missing an entire season with Washington rehabbing an ACL tear. Sure, fans saw some encouraging stuff health-wise last season from 2025 rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, who played 82 and 81 games, respectively. And Yves Missi, who is set to start at center heading into his third season, has had a healthy start to his NBA career. But without the other players on the roster staying fit to play, Fears, Missi, and Queen being healthy isn’t enough to change the results of the 2026-27 season. For Jamahl Mosley, year one just got a lot harder. Back-to-backs aren’t just about injuries. Because of how demanding an NBA season can be, they force coaches to rest players or have scheduled losses. And for a Pelicans team trying to climb back into the playoff picture, dropping games because key contributors need rest or a night off could alter whether they make the playoffs or are on the outside looking in. On paper, 16 back-to-backs may not seem that drastic. But the reality is for a team whose biggest obstacle in recent years has been simply seeing its best players on the court healthy, this is a massive challenge in their 2026-27 schedule. Joe Dumars' overhaul of the medical staff could be a source of optimism and provide a potential fresh approach behind the scenes that could lead to better injury luck. Still, after years of watching injuries derail seasons after season, it's hard not to look at the schedule and lack optimism after how the last several years of being a Pelicans fan have gone.