NBA MATCHUP: New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets coming to Birmingham this fall

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Pelicans
New Orleans v. Atlanta Hawks in Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama (New Orleans Pelicans)

For the 2nd consecutive year, the New Orleans Pelicans are returning to Birmingham for a preseason game at Legacy Arena on Oct. 12.

This yearโ€™s opponent โ€” Houston Rockets.

Sweet Home Squadrons

Last season’s preseason game between New Orleans and Atlanta was played at Legacy Arenaโ€”homeย to theย Birmingham Squadron, the Pelicansโ€™ NBA G League affiliateโ€”and attracted a sellout crowd of 15,486.

โ€œWe want to thank the City of Birmingham, the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, and everyone involved for the Pelicans to make our second preseason appearance at Legacy Arena,โ€ said Pelicans Governor Gayle Benson.ย 

Welcome Back Alabama and Auburn Stars

Pelicans
New Orleans v. Atlanta Hawks in Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama (New Orleans Pelicans)

The Pelicans ended this past season with two former Alabama Crimson Tide standoutsโ€”Herb Jones, a SEC Player of the Year and Kira Lewis. Jr.ย 

The Rockets feature former Auburn University All-Americanย Jabari Smith, who was named in May to the Kia NBA All Rookie Second Team. He ended the 2022-23 season averaging nearly 13 points a game and 7.2 rebounds a game

The Return

โ€œWe are thrilled to once again bring the Pelicans and NBA basketball to the Magic City,โ€ said Birmingham Squadron general manager Leslie Claybrook. โ€œI know Birmingham will bring the same level of excitement and energy as it did for last yearโ€™s sold out preseason game and provide the Squadron great momentum going into year three.โ€ย 

Tickets

Birmingham Squadron
(Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Season ticket membership plans for the Birmingham Squadronโ€™s 2023-24 campaign are on sale now. Tickets for the preseason game  will be made available through the Squadron ticket office and Ticketmaster. For additional details, fans can click here or call the Squadron ticket office at (205) 719-0850.

For more information about Pelicans basketball, visit pelicans.com โ€” and about the Squadron, visit birminghamsquadron.com

For more news around Birmingham, follow usย Facebookย +ย Instagram.

Pat Byington
Pat Byington

Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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