James Borrego is giving one-month marks on a winning streak

The The New Orleans Pelicans are finally finding their grooveending the crucial stretch with a three-game winning streak that breathed new life into the team. Wins over the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets mark the franchise’s first such run of the season, coming right on the interim head coach’s one-month anniversary James Borrego‘s rise to the role. As Derrick Queen and Zion Williamson is going through a difficult transition periodBorrego’s early tenure earns high marks for fostering unity and resilience, even if the overall record still leaves room for improvement.

Borrego, who took over as interim coach on Nov. 15, emphasized the process over immediate results. The Pelicans’ recent successes, highlighted by a strong defensive effort and balanced scoring, reflect the team that they are buying into his vision.

“I think the biggest thing is just their participation,” Borrego said, “their confidence in each other because of how hard they play. Their competitive spirit and commitment to getting better every day, sticking to the process. I think they’re building good habits. I think it’s more about that.”

Against the Trail Blazers, the team showed improved ball movement and perimeter defense in a 24-point outburst. The Bulls brought out the best in Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Jeremiah Fears. At the same time, the Rockets’ play showed the Pelicans’ ability to close out close contests without Williamson.

Pelicans play with fire

Still, Borrego remains grounded, admitting the journey is far from over.

“I’d like the results to be better. Obviously we’ve put together some good wins, but for me right now it’s about the process of building good habits and building an identity. They’ve embraced it. I’ve seen it reflected in games, in practice, and it’s just a joy to be around. I mean, they bring joy to them and hope to walk right in when I’m in the game. There’s also an infectious spirit to them now.

That infectious spirit represents perhaps the most remarkable transformation under Boreg’s watch. The Pelicans looked disjointed and uninspiring for periods earlier this season, but the coaching change has brought fresh life to the locker room. The players are competing with renewed vigor on both sides of the floor, and the defensive intensity has shown significant improvement.

The current three-game winning streak may not erase the struggles that preceded it, but it does provide evidence that Borrego’s philosophy is taking root. The Pelicans are playing with more discipline, moving the ball with more purpose, and most importantly, playing with a collective conviction that has been lacking.

As the Pelicans look ahead, Borrego’s one-month report is mostly positive. The locker room gets an A for effort and culture building, with room for improvement in consistently executing winning plays. The winning streak serves as a proof of concept. Maintaining momentum will be key to rejoining the Western Conference’s NBA Play-In conversation.