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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans kicked off their season with a 111-104 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. CJ McCollum led the Pelicans with 24 points, while Zion Williamson contributed 23 points and seven rebounds.
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McCollum shot 8 of 16 from the field and made 6 of 11 three-pointers. Williamson showcased his skills by scoring 12 of his points in the fourth quarter, preventing any chance of a Memphis comeback. Brandon Ingram also contributed with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Jonas Valanciunas added 12 points and 12 rebounds.
New Orleans coach Willie Green praised the collective effort of his players, saying, “Everybody on the floor was determined to win their minutes. Our team executed offensively and it all started with our defense.”
The Pelicans dominated the first half with Matt Ryan, who was recently claimed off waivers, scoring 9 points in just 7 minutes, including three three-pointers. This gave the Pelicans a 38-33 lead at halftime, and they never relinquished it.
Despite a strong performance from Desmond Bane, who scored 31 points for Memphis, the absence of guard Ja Morant, who is serving a 25-game suspension, hindered the Grizzlies’ offense. Xavier Tillman also had a notable game, matching Marcus Smart’s 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The advantage swung in favor of New Orleans, as they controlled the boards with a 52-37 rebounding advantage. Although the Pelicans committed 21 turnovers, Memphis only managed to convert two fast break points.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins credited the Pelicans for their rebounding dominance, stating, “We couldn’t rebound because we were taking the ball out of the net, so we couldn’t get out and run.”
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At halftime, the Pelicans held a 57-47 lead after limiting the Grizzlies to 36% shooting. They widened the gap in the third quarter, capitalizing on Memphis’s mistakes and continued poor shooting.
Although the New Orleans advantage shrank to 90-81 early in the fourth quarter, a quick burst of seven points reestablished a comfortable lead for the Pelicans. Williamson played a pivotal role in the final frame, hitting five of his seven shots.
Reflecting on his performance, Williamson acknowledged the need to find his rhythm, stating, “For me, it’s going to be a few games getting that in-game flow back. No matter how much I work out, train, play pick up, there’s nothing like a real NBA game.”
Despite the win, Green believes there is room for improvement and plans to focus on teaching his players how to elevate their game.
Up next, the Pelicans will host the New York Knicks on Saturday, while the Grizzlies will face the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.
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