In a thrilling season opener, Brandon Ingram scored 33 points to carry the New Orleans Pelicans past the Chicago Bulls, winning 123-111. The Pelicans faced the challenge of missing star player Zion Williamson, but Ingram’s late-game heroics, including a clutch baseline turnaround jumper, sealed the deal. Despite the absence of their key player, the Pelicans showed they could still hold their own with solid contributions from both veterans and fresh faces.
New Faces, Big Plays: Dejounte Murray and Yves Missi Step Up
Dejounte Murray, the newly-acquired point guard, made his presence felt with 14 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. He was a stabilizing force on both ends of the court, showing why the Pelicans were eager to add him to their roster. While Murray’s play was expected to stand out, it was rookie Yves Missi who turned heads.
Missi, the 21st overall pick in the 2024 draft, was originally seen as a raw talent needing time to develop. Yet, he played 23 minutes, racking up 12 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and a steal. Not bad for a player thought to be too green for significant minutes. As he walked off the court, the New Orleans crowd gave him a standing ovation—clearly appreciating the rookie’s unexpected contribution.
- Key Players’ Stats:
- Brandon Ingram: 33 points
- CJ McCollum: 23 points
- Dejounte Murray: 14 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds
- Yves Missi: 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks
- Zach LaVine (Bulls): 27 points, 7 turnovers
- Nikola Vucevic (Bulls): 21 points, 11 rebounds
Ingram’s Pivotal 3-Pointer Changes the Game
With the Pelicans leading by only five, Ingram nailed his third 3-pointer of the night, pushing the score to 107-92 and fueling a 13-2 run that left the Bulls scrambling. During this stretch, Ingram dominated, scoring eight points, including two free throws and another deep shot. His scoring spree put the game out of reach for Chicago, who struggled to recover.
Ingram wasn’t the only one giving the Bulls trouble, though. CJ McCollum added 23 points, maintaining steady pressure throughout the game. New Orleans’ balanced attack and opportunistic defense proved too much for the Bulls, who could never quite catch up after halftime.
Turnovers: The Bulls’ Achilles’ Heel
Chicago’s biggest downfall? Turnovers. The Bulls coughed up the ball 21 times, allowing the Pelicans to score 30 points off those mistakes. Zach LaVine, who otherwise had a solid offensive night with 27 points, committed seven of those turnovers, frustrating Chicago fans.
These mistakes haunted the Bulls, especially in the second half when they trailed by double digits. For a team aiming to make a playoff run, taking care of the ball will be crucial moving forward.
What’s Next?
The Bulls will look to rebound as they head to Milwaukee on Friday to take on the Bucks. Meanwhile, the Pelicans start a four-game road trip in Portland the same day. With the uncertainty surrounding Zion Williamson’s return, all eyes will be on Ingram, Murray, and the rising rookie Missi to see if they can continue this level of play without their star power forward.