The New Orleans Pelicans fell at home to the Portland Trail Blazers 109-122 on January 3, 2026. Portland's backcourt once again proved too much, leading the Trail Blazers to a solid road win in a matchup of Western Conference teams. The Pelicans struggled to contain Portland's guard tandem, who consistently broke down the defense to create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates. New Orleans kept the game within reach through three quarters, but the Blazers opened the fourth with a decisive 14-4 run to put the game out of reach. Portland's bench provided valuable minutes, outplaying their counterparts and helping to sustain the lead. This loss halted any momentum the Pelicans had from their previous win, while Portland continued to build their resume as a dangerous offensive team on the road.