Brandon Ingram scores 33 as Pelicans win opener, lose Dejounte Murray

Posted on by David Grubb

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans were impressive as they tipped off the 2024-25 season with a 123-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

In doing so, the Pelicans extended their winning streak in season openers to three games and ended their two-game losing skid against the Bulls.

Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with a game-high 33 points, setting a new career-best for opening night. Ingram added seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a blocked shot in 31 minutes.

CJ McCollum scored 23 points, making five three-pointers, and Dejounte Murray had a solid debut, posting a near triple-double with 14 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. Jordan Hawkins and rookie Yves Missi came off the bench to score 13 and 12 points respectively.

The Pelicans opened the game struggling to find the tempo that head coach Willie Green wanted to see out of his offense. However, once the second unit hit the floor, the Pelicans started to fly.

Hawkins and Missi infused the lineup with plenty of energy and activity, mirroring their contributions during the preseason. The duo combined for nine points in the first quarter, helping to give the Pelicans a 29-25 lead after one period.

Zach Lavine, who scored 27 points to lead the Bulls, got going in the second quarter. LaVine posted 16 points in the period, sparking Chicago as they pulled within one point of the Pelicans at the half.

The Pelicans came out of the locker room with an increased defensive intensity. New Orleans collected five of its 15 steals in the third quarter, raising the tempo of the game and the temperature on the Bulls.

Takeaways

A tale of two Brandons: Brandon Ingram gave a star performance against the Bulls, but his game was much different in the first and second halves. Ingram seemed to be settling in the first half for his familiar shot profile, something he acknowledged in post-game interviews. His reliance on contested mid-range shots left him 5-of-13 from the field after two quarters.

In the second half, the Pelicans did a much better job of creating opportunities for Ingram to catch the ball in scoring position near the rim and in transition. His decision-making was quicker, and his effectiveness increased exponentially.

As the Pelicans pulled away in the second half, B.I. finished 8-of-10 shooting. If that’s the Brandon Ingram the Pelicans can get on a nightly basis, the team will be a much bigger threat in the Western Conference and Ingram will raise his value to the Pelicans and around the NBA.

Yves of Destruction: Yves Missi should be the Pelicans’ starting center. No disrespect to the veteran Daniel Theis, who was solid with eight points, two steals, and three blocks, but the rookie exceeded all expectations in his debut. Missi flirted with a double-double, posting 12 points and seven rebounds with three blocked shots, earning a standing ovation from the Smoothie King Center crowd.

His length, athleticism, and ability to finish above the rim are a unique combination on a team devoid of size. If Missi continues progressing at the rate he has since the start of training camp, he should be in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

Yves Missi can potentially impact the Pelicans on both ends of the floor and solve the team’s problem at center.

CJ’s still got it: While the Pelicans wait for Jordan Hawkins to assume the role, CJ McCollum continues to prove his value as the team’s resident volume shooter. McCollum embraced the responsibility last season and broke the franchise record for made three-pointers.

McCollum picked up right where he left off on Wednesday night, making five of his 11 threes in 30 minutes. No other player attempted more than six. With Trey Murphy at least two weeks away from returning to the lineup, McCollum’s value to the team can’t be overstated.

Defenses must locate McCollum because he’s proven over the last decade that he can and will knock down shots at a high rate. As the Pelicans return to his old stamping grounds, he’ll have to continue to be a threat and a major scorer for the team to be successful.

Ready for Zion: For all the success experienced on opening night, it was missing something big…Zion Williamson. After he looked so good during camp and the preseason, Pelicans fans are rightfully anxious to see him on the court when it counts.

Williamson’s sixth season is set up for him to reclaim his position as one of the top young players in the NBA. All he has to do is be the player he was during the final 30 games of last season when he averaged 24.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting better than 55 percent from the field.

There are no other players like Williamson in the league. Opponents cannot prepare for the pressure he puts on the rim. Adding Zion to this lineup opens up so many options for his teammates.

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