James Borrego shares the non-negotiables for New Orleans mid-game

The The New Orleans Pelicans are focused less on the scoreboard and more on a set of holiday standards. Zion Williamson and Derrick Queen they start to click, leading to a three-game winning streak in the process. However, while the climb from the Western Conference basement to the Play-In Tournament is steep, James BorregoA process-focused approach reveals early signs that the team is being rebuilt from the ground up.

For Borrego, the emphasis on a young, injured locker room remains one of control. As the Pelicans work toward the final stretch of 2025, those principles have paid off become a non-negotiable.

“Our habits, our standards, how hard we play, how we compete together,” Borrego began. “The defensive focus, we’re trying to move that needle there with the intensity on that end of the floor. I think we’re moving the needle there a little bit. Then it’s the general mentality of just our offensive identity with our ball movement, tempo.”

The defense was the clearest priority for the last-place Pelicans. Borrego repeatedly pointed to intensity and consistency as the foundation for improvement, stressing that defensive execution must become reliable rather than situational. The ability to stay connected, get back in transition and finish possessions has been a focal point as they try to establish a foundation that travels to high-stakes games.

Offensively, Borrego wants New Orleans to play with pace and purpose. Ball movement and early decision-making are central to the identity he envisions, allowing the Pelicans to generate quality looks while keeping all five players engaged. The health of the lineup added another level of progress. With more bodies available, it’s clear that minutes will be earned through production and competitiveness, not reputation. Williamson (21 minutes) still went through the fourth quarter of that victory over the Rockets.

“No matter what, whoever steps on the floor, it’s their job to produce. And now we have healthy bodies. What separates the lineups is going to be how hard you play, how you compete, how you work when you have your shot.”

In this final stretch, rotations will be fluid and minutes will be earned through the sheer effort and focus that Borrego demands. The players who most effectively help “move the needle” defensively and offensively will be on the court when it matters most.

Ultimately, the Pelicans’ playoff and playoff hopes are tied to this simple yet challenging concept. Together, can they move the needle from inconsistent to reliable, from promising to dire? Borrego has defined the dials that need to be adjusted. The team’s success now depends on turning those adjustments into wins.