NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Brandon Ingram scored 33 points, icing the game with a baseline turnaround jumper with 1:46 to go, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame Zion Williamson’s absence to defeat the Chicago Bulls 123-111 on Wednesday night in both clubs’ season opener.
CJ McCollum scored 23 for New Orleans and newly-acquired point guard Dejounte Murray had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.
Williamson was ruled out shortly before the game because of an illness, marking his 207th missed regular-season game since he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2019.
Zach LaVine scored 27 points, and Nikola Vucevic had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls, who trailed for most of the second half and by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Smith scored 15 points, and Josh Giddey added 14 points for Chicago.
Jordan Hawkins scored 13 for the Pelicans.
Takeaways
New Orleans might be able to rely on their first-round pick, 7-footer Yves Missi, more than initially thought. Missi was considered too raw to play significant minutes early this season when he was drafted 21st overall out of Baylor in June. But missing their top front-court player in Williamson, the Pelicans played Missi 23 minutes and he was effective, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds three blocks and a steal.
When Missi walked to the bench with 4:20 left, he received a standing ovation.
Key moment
Ingram’s third 3 of the game gave the Pelicans a 107-92 lead and capped a pivotal 13-2 run during which Ingram scored eight points, including another 3 and two free throws.
Key stat
Chicago turned the ball over 21 times, leading to 30 Pelicans points. LeVine committed seven turnovers, tarnishing an otherwise productive performance on the offensive end.
Up next
The Bulls visit Milwaukee on Friday, the same day the Pelicans open a four-game trip at Portland.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Brett Martel, The Associated Press
