S E Melbourne Phoenix vs New Orleans Pelicans

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, S E Melbourne Phoenix United will host the New Orleans Pelicans in an exhibition matchup as part of the NBAxNBL: S E Melbourne Phoenix Series. The game will take place at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Victoria, marking one of the first NBA preseason contests ever played on Australian soil. The event is part of the NBA’s continued effort to strengthen ties with the NBL and expand its global footprint. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time and will be broadcast across both Australian and U.S. networks.

As of the latest reports, neither team has announced major injuries ahead of the game. New Orleans Pelicans have traveled to Australia with their full squad, including Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and offseason addition Dejounte Murray. Given the exhibition nature of the contest, head coach Willie Green is expected to limit minutes for his main stars while giving extended opportunities to younger players such as Dyson Daniels and Jordan Hawkins. S E Melbourne Phoenix United will enter the matchup with its regular NBL roster, led by Chris Goulding and Luke Travers. Coach Dean Vickerman has indicated that he will use deep rotations to maintain intensity and test different combinations against NBA-level talent.

Tactically, both coaches approach this game with different objectives. Vickerman’s system is built around strong defensive pressure and perimeter spacing, but facing an athletic NBA squad like the Pelicans, he will likely emphasize controlling tempo and disciplined rebounding. Willie Green, on the other hand, will focus on testing lineup versatility and early-season chemistry between Williamson and Murray. The Pelicans are expected to rely on fast breaks, interior dominance, and three-point spacing while experimenting with small-ball rotations featuring Trey Murphy III and Brandon Ingram.

Press coverage in both Australia and the United States has highlighted the significance of this historic matchup. Local media outlets such as The Guardian Australia and The Age have noted the excitement surrounding the NBA’s return to S E Melbourne Phoenix , describing the event as a “landmark basketball occasion.” American outlets have treated the game as an early look at how the Pelicans’ revamped roster will gel, while Australian journalists have framed it as an opportunity for the NBL champions to showcase their competitiveness against NBA opposition. The storyline has centered as much on global basketball growth as on the actual competition.

Analysts in pregame studio segments have stressed that the game’s value lies in observation rather than outcome. ESPN commentators have discussed how the Pelicans might use the game to test new rotations and defensive schemes, while NBL analysts on ESPN Australia have focused on whether S E Melbourne Phoenix United’s guards can handle the Pelicans’ physicality. Studio discussions are expected to highlight player matchups like Williamson versus Travers and how Dyson Daniels performs returning to his home country. Overall, the consensus is that while the result won’t define either team, the game will offer valuable insights into depth, strategy, and international basketball development.