Ingram’s Stellar Performance Spurs Pelicans to Victory Despite Missing Williamson

Brandon Ingram emerged as the star of the night, firing up 33 points, including a decisive baseline turnaround jumper with just under two minutes left in the game. This pivotal performance led the New Orleans Pelicans to a thrilling 123-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls. This win was even more remarkable as the Pelicans overcame the absence of Zion Williamson in both teams’ seasonal opener on Wednesday night.

Debutant Dejounte Murray Shines in Pelicans’ Opener

New recruit Dejounte Murray contributed a commendable 14 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, making an impressive debut with the Pelicans. However, he suffered a left-hand injury during the final quarter. CJ McCollum also added 23 points to New Orleans’ tally.

Zion Williamson’s Absence: A Major Setback for the Pelicans?

Williamson was ruled out just before the game due to an illness, marking his 207th missed regular-season game since his No. 1 overall draft in 2019. This left a significant void in the Pelicans’ front-court.

Bulls’ Performance: LaVine and Vucevic Stand Out

For the Bulls, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic put up a staunch fight, scoring 27 and 21 points, respectively, with Vucevic also securing 11 rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Bulls trailed for a significant part of the second half, even falling behind by 16 points during the fourth quarter.

Surprise Package: Yves Missi’s Unexpected Contribution

In the absence of Williamson, rookie Yves Missi unexpectedly stepped up. Initially thought to be too unseasoned to play significant minutes, the first-round pick showed his worth. He ended the game with 12 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, and a steal in 23 minutes of game time, earning him a standing ovation.

Defining Moment and Stat: Ingram’s 3s and Chicago’s Turnovers

Ingram’s third 3-pointer of the game extended the Pelicans’ lead to 107-92, concluding a crucial 13-2 run during which he scored eight points. This proved to be a defining moment in the game. Another crucial aspect was the Bulls’ 21 turnovers, leading to 30 points for the Pelicans, with LaVine committing seven turnovers.

Upcoming Matches: Bulls and Pelicans’ Next Challenges

Looking forward, the Bulls will face off against Milwaukee on Friday. The same day, the Pelicans will embark on a four-game trip, starting in Portland.