MATCH PREVIEW: Phoenix primed for NBA game against Pelicans

Key Details

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS vs. SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX
Where: Rod Laver Arena
When: Sunday, October 5 at 2pm
Watch: Chanel 10 | Amazon Prime | NBA League Pass

VERY LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN

The Phoenix will take on the New Orleans Pelicans in a history-making Exhibition game at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

It will be the first look at the Pelicans before their NBA season later this month, led by 2019 Pick 1 Zion Williamson, the arrival of Jordan Poole from the Washington Wizards, and Pick 7 from the 2025 Draft Jeremiah Fears.

The Phoenix will head into the game with a full squad, showing their talents to a worldwide audience, including NBL Next Star Malique Lewis who will be hoping to rise in the NBA Draft to the first round.

The game will be refereed under NBA rules, see the changes below:

• The 3-point line will be 49cm further back that NBL’s 3-point line
• Each quarter will go for 12 minutes instead of NBL 10-minute quarters
• Each team is allowed 5 fouls per quarter before they reach the bonus (1 more than NBL rules), and each player is allowed 6 personal fouls per game (1 more than NBL rules)
• Live-ball timeouts will be allowed. Allowing coaches to call a time-out while the ball is actively in play and they have possession
• The defensive 3-seconds rule will be enforced, meaning a violation occurs when a defender remains in the lane (also known as the paint or key) for more than three seconds without actively guarding an opponent. The violation is called a team technical foul, resulting in one free throw and possession of the ball for the offense.

“He gave me some advice on his jumper, his mechanics, how he approaches shooting...” 🤝

DJ Mitchell got the rarest of opportunities to pick Ray Allen’s brain and get tips from one of the best shooters alive - hear how it went! 💚 pic.twitter.com/nKsTyIzsvw

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) October 2, 2025

TEAMS

Phoenix

The Phoenix will go into Sunday's game with a full squad. Akech Aliir will return to the team after missing the first two rounds due to personal reasons.

Pelicans

The Pelicans have bought their full training camp squad down to Melbourne including Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole. Dejounte Murray is the only one not making the trip down due to injury.

Pelicans Team List

Head Coach – Willie Green

00 – Jalen McDaniels - Forward
0 – Jeremiah Fears - Guard
1 – Zion Williamson - Forward
2 – Herb Jones - Guard/Forward
3 – Jordan Poole - Guard
4 – Hunter Dickinson - Centre
8 – Garrison Brooks – Centre
9 – Jaden Springer – Guard
11 – Bryce McGowens - Guard
14 – Micah Peavy – Forward
15 – Jose Alvarado – Guard
17 – Karlo Matković - Forward/Centre
21 – Yves Missi – Centre
22 – Derik Queen - Forward/Centre
23 – Trey Alexander - Guard
24 – Jordan Hawkins - Guard
25 – Trey Murphy III -  Forward
41 – Saddiq Bey – Forward
42 – Christian Shumate - Forward
55 – Kevon Looney - Centre/Forward

KEEP AN EYE ON

Zion Williamson down the lane

The Phoenix players had their say on what they would do when 6’4” Zion Williamson is coming at them, with the former number 1 pick reacting to what they said at the mid-week presser. On the world stage, the Phoenix players will definitely put all their might into making sure to not end up on a poster by Zion.

👀 @Zionwilliamson reacts to the Phoenix players plans against him! 😂 pic.twitter.com/7HcnP406U7

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) October 1, 2025

Get all your Game Day Information HERE