The new-look Zion Williamson has been the talk of Pelicans camp so far. Now fans will get to see what the slimmed-down star looks like on the court.
The oft-injured star and his New Orleans teammates open preseason play with a pair of exhibitions against Australian pro teams, in the process becoming the first NBA team to play Down Under.
The Pelicans will face National Basketball League (NBL) teams Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix in games at Rod Laver Arena, best known as the home of Australian Open tennis.
It's a highly anticipated event in a basketball-loving nation, and the likes of Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole and the rest of the Pelicans will draw plenty of attention.
Here's all the info fans back home in the U.S. need to know to watch both games:
How to watch Pelicans Australia games
Both of the Pelicans' preseason games in Melbourne will be broadcast on NBA TV. Fans can also live stream the games via Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
What time are the Pelicans' Australia games?
Melbourne is 14 hours ahead of Eastern time and 15 hours ahead of New Orleans time, so fans will need to adjust their usual schedules to tune in. See the U.S. start times for both games below:
Pelicans vs. Melbourne United time
- Date: Friday, Oct. 3
- Time: 5:30 a.m. ET | 4:30 a.m. CT
Pelicans vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix time
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 4
- Time: 11 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. CT
Pelicans preseason schedule 2025
Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV/Live stream |
---|---|---|---|
Fri., Oct. 3 | vs. Melbourne United* | 5:30 a.m. | NBA TV, Fubo |
Sat., Oct. 4 | vs. South East Melbourne Phoenix* | 11 p.m. | NBA TV, Fubo |
Tue., Oct. 14 | vs. Rockets^ | 8 p.m. | Pelicans+ |
Thu., Oct. 16 | at Magic | 7 p.m. | Pelicans+ |
* at Melbourne, Australia
^ at Birmingham, Ala.
When is the Pelicans' NBA season opener in 2025?
- Game: Pelicans at Grizzlies
- Date: Wednesday, Oct. 22
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
New Orleans opens regular-season play at Memphis on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The game is scheduled to be televised locally on Fox 8 New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network and can be streamed regionally via Pelicans+ and nationally on NBA League Pass.