Philadelphia Sixers vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction NBA (Feb 21, 2026)

The Philadelphia 76ers visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 at the Smoothie King Center. Philadelphia comes in as the stronger team on paper, listed at 30-25 on ESPN’s matchup page, while New Orleans sits at 15-41. ESPN Analytics also leans Philadelphia in the matchup predictor, which fits the season-long gap in consistency and two-way execution.

Philadelphia is also coming off a loss to Atlanta in its first game after the All Star break, a game where the Sixers struggled offensively without Joel Embiid and Paul George. That context matters because it frames what Philly looks like when it cannot generate easy paint touches or clean kickout threes.

Sixers vs Pelicans quick snapshot

Here are the headline indicators entering the weekend.

Injury and availability notes

Availability is a major swing factor for both sides. ESPN lists Joel Embiid as a game-time decision, while Paul George is out (suspension) for Philadelphia. On the New Orleans side, Dejounte Murray is out (Achilles), which impacts creation, pace control, and late-clock offense.

If Embiid plays, Philadelphia’s offense stabilizes because it can create high-percentage looks from post touches, free throws, and short-roll playmaking. If he sits, the Sixers lean harder on Tyrese Maxey to win advantage after advantage, and the game can drift toward a more volatile, perimeter-heavy shot diet.

Matchup keys

1) Can Philadelphia win the paint without overhelping

New Orleans has struggled to win games, but the Pelicans can still punish teams that lose defensive shape and give up straight-line drives or dump-offs. Philadelphia’s best version is firm at the point of attack, then disciplined on rotations so it is not giving up corner threes after the first help. The Sixers did not consistently hold that structure against Atlanta.

2) Turnovers and tempo control

This is the clearest pathway for the Pelicans to hang around at home. If New Orleans can speed Philadelphia up, force live-ball turnovers, and score before the Sixers set their defense, it can manufacture efficient possessions even if the half-court stalls. If Philadelphia takes care of the ball, it usually wins the shot quality battle over 48 minutes.

3) How the Maxey minutes are handled

When Embiid is uncertain, Maxey becomes the possession engine. New Orleans will likely mix coverages and try to crowd his driving lanes. Philadelphia’s counters are simple but important: screening angles, quick swing passes, and enough off-ball movement to keep help defenders honest.

What the season series tells us

These teams met in Philadelphia on Jan. 31, 2026, and the Sixers won 124-114. That game is a useful baseline: Philadelphia’s offense was able to get to a comfortable scoring range, and New Orleans could not string together enough stops to flip the game late.

Philadelphia Sixers vs New Orleans Pelicans prediction

Philadelphia has the higher floor, especially if Embiid is active or close to full strength. New Orleans’ margin for error shrinks with Murray out, because it removes a major creator who can carry possessions when the first option is walled off.

Prediction: 76ers 116, Pelicans 109. If Embiid is ruled out, I would tighten the margin and expect a more guard-driven game where New Orleans has a better chance to keep it into the final six minutes.