Pelicans and Spurs Face Longest Travel in 2026-27 NBA Season

The NBA has revealed its travel schedule for the 2026-27 season, highlighting the extensive mileage some teams will endure. The New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs are set to take the crown for the most air miles, with the Pelicans expected to fly approximately 55,529 miles and the Spurs following closely at 53,947 miles.

A significant factor contributing to these high numbers is the inclusion of two international games. Both teams will travel to Europe in January, with New Orleans playing in Paris and San Antonio in Manchester. These trips alone will add nearly 9,500 miles to each team's total, pushing them well above the league average for travel.

In contrast, the New York Knicks will have the lightest travel burden, with an estimated 36,539 miles for the season. The Toronto Raptors are next in line, trailing the Knicks by just over 300 miles. This stark difference in travel is indicative of the geographical disparities within the league, particularly between the Western and Eastern Conferences.

The Western Conference teams generally face longer travel distances due to their wider geographical spread. All 15 teams in the West will travel more than the league average, with the Miami Heat being the only Eastern team among the top travelers, ranking sixth overall.

While the scheduling aims to minimize excessive travel, teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and the Los Angeles squads will still face long flights, though they did not make the top five in travel mileage. As the season progresses, these travel figures may change, especially with the NBA Cup schedule yet to be finalized.