THE NEW Orleans Pelicans have landed in Australia for a pair of clashes against National Basketball League (NBL) teams over the weekend, with the action beginning tonight when they face off against Melbourne United.

United will be playing the Pelicans at John Cain Arena in an exhibition match, and New Orleans has brought the big names down under in a great opportunity for Melbourne players to test their skills against the best.

With NBA All-Stars set to suit up for the Pelicans in the warmup to the upcoming 2025/26 season, there will be plenty of entertainment in Melbourne as some of the world’s premier players take on one of the NBL’s powerhouses.

Melbourne United vs. New Orleans Pelicans

John Cain Arena
Friday, October 3 @7:30pm AEST

Melbourne will be looking to showcase some of its premier talent and make a statement against a side from the world’s best competition at John Cain Arena on Friday night, and will be looking towards its best players to do so.

One man who will be eager to impress is Milton Doyle, who will be key to United’s chances of winning given the star power he possesses. Doyle has been a star in the NBL for a number of years now, and gets the chance to shine in front of NBA players and staff, and if he can get to his spots and keep knocking down tough shots, it might just impress the right people.

Another big storyline within the match will be Dash Daniels‘ first outing against an NBA team, one of what will likely be many in the coming years. Daniels is projected to be a top-10 selection in next year’s draft, so a strong outing against New Orleans would certainly be a big tick for NBA scouts.

The Pelicans have no shortage of talent themselves, headlined by superstar forward Zion Williamson, who has naturally brought in a lot of attention with his high-flying ways. Capable of some high-flying dunks, expect the former number-one pick to deliver a highlight or two at John Cain Arena.

It will be interesting to see the role of recent NBA draftee Derik Queen, who joined the team as a top-10 selection in June. The big man added to their frontcourt presence as well as boasting an impressive ability to put the ball on the floor, his role within the team will be interesting, and he may see some valuable minutes in a preseason outing.