Pelicans Start Season with Victory Over Bulls

In a thrilling season opener on Wednesday night, the New Orleans Pelicans triumphed over the Chicago Bulls with a score of 123-111, despite missing star player Zion Williamson. Brandon Ingram emerged as a standout performer, notching 33 points, and sealing the game with a crucial turnaround jumper from the baseline with 1:46 remaining on the clock.

CJ McCollum contributed significantly to the victory with 23 points, while new signing Dejounte Murray showcased an all-around game, finishing with 14 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds. Williamson was sidelined shortly before the match due to illness, adding to his already long list of absences since being selected as the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, totaling 207 missed games.

For the Bulls, Zach LaVine led the scoring with 27 points, and Nikola Vucevic added a solid performance with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Despite their efforts, Chicago found themselves trailing for the majority of the second half, facing a deficit of as much as 16 points during the fourth quarter. Jalen Smith also made his presence felt with 15 points, accompanied by Josh Giddey, who scored 14 points.

Insights from the Game

The absence of Williamson opened the door for the Pelicans’ first-round draft pick, 7-foot Yves Missi, to play a crucial role. Initially seen as a player who might not see significant minutes early in the season, Missi took full advantage of the opportunity, playing 23 minutes and finishing with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and a steal. His performance earned him a standing ovation as he left the court with 4:20 left in the game.

Turning Point

A pivotal moment occurred when Ingram hit his third three-pointer of the night, pushing the Pelicans to a commanding 107-92 lead. This shot capped a critical 13-2 scoring run, during which Ingram himself tallied eight points, including another three-pointer and two successful free throws.

Key Statistics

Notably, the Bulls struggled with ball control, committing 21 turnovers that resulted in 30 points for the Pelicans. LaVine’s performance was marred by seven turnovers, overshadowing his otherwise effective scoring effort.

Looking Ahead

Next on the schedule, the Bulls are set to travel to Milwaukee for their upcoming game on Friday. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will embark on a four-game road trip, starting with a match against Portland.