Brandon Ingram Scores 33 as Pelicans Beat Bulls 123-111 Without Zion Williamson

The New Orleans Pelicans opened their 2024-25 season with an impressive 123-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls, led by a stellar performance from Brandon Ingram. Ingram dropped 33 points in a commanding effort, showcasing his ability to carry the Pelicans' offense in the absence of their superstar forward, Zion Williamson.

Ingram Takes Charge

With Williamson sidelined due to precautionary rest after a minor preseason injury, all eyes were on Ingram to step up—and he delivered. The 6’8” forward wasted no time asserting himself, scoring 15 points in the first quarter alone, getting to the rim with ease and knocking down several mid-range jumpers. Ingram’s smooth offensive game kept the Bulls' defense on its heels, as he mixed up isolation plays, pull-up jumpers, and aggressive drives to the basket.

“I’m always ready to step up when my team needs me,” Ingram said after the game. “Obviously, we miss Zion, but we’ve got a lot of talent on this team. I just wanted to set the tone and be aggressive from the start.”

Ingram’s ability to attack the paint and draw fouls was crucial, as he also shot 10-of-11 from the free-throw line, helping to maintain the Pelicans' lead throughout the game. He added 7 rebounds and 5 assists, filling the stat sheet in what was one of his best all-around performances in recent memory.

Supporting Cast Shines

Though Ingram was the star of the night, New Orleans received significant contributions from their supporting cast. CJ McCollum, the team’s veteran guard, played a vital role, scoring 22 points and dishing out 8 assists. His ability to run the offense and hit key shots from beyond the arc helped keep the Bulls at bay whenever they threatened to close the gap.

Center Jonas Valančiūnas was a force in the paint, notching a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. His presence on the glass and ability to defend Chicago’s big men, particularly Nikola Vučević, made life difficult for the Bulls in the post. Valančiūnas also hit a couple of timely three-pointers, stretching the defense and providing an unexpected offensive boost from the perimeter.

Off the bench, Trey Murphy III added 16 points, showing his potential as a key contributor for the Pelicans this season. His combination of size and shooting proved to be a valuable asset, especially in the absence of Williamson.

Bulls Struggle to Keep Pace

The Bulls, meanwhile, struggled to contain the Pelicans' offense throughout the game. Despite a strong outing from Zach LaVine, who scored 29 points and added 6 rebounds, Chicago’s defense was often a step behind as New Orleans relentlessly attacked the basket and moved the ball efficiently.

Chicago’s star duo of LaVine and DeMar DeRozan combined for 50 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their defensive lapses. DeRozan, who finished with 21 points, had a relatively quiet night by his standards, as the Pelicans’ defense, led by Herb Jones and Dyson Daniels, limited his impact in the mid-range.

Nikola Vučević contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls, but the team’s lack of interior defense and inconsistent shooting from beyond the arc (10-of-32) left them unable to mount a serious comeback.

Pelicans' Offensive Prowess

The Pelicans shot an impressive 52% from the field and 39% from three-point range, displaying a balanced offensive attack that overwhelmed Chicago. New Orleans also out-rebounded the Bulls 48-38, with Valančiūnas and Ingram leading the way.

One of the key aspects of the Pelicans’ victory was their ability to score in transition. New Orleans outscored Chicago 18-8 in fast break points, taking advantage of turnovers and missed opportunities by the Bulls. The Pelicans also dominated in points in the paint, racking up 58 compared to Chicago’s 46.

Head coach Willie Green praised his team’s effort, particularly in the absence of Williamson.

“We knew we had to come out and play with a lot of energy tonight,” Green said. “Brandon led the way, but everyone contributed. Our defense in key moments and our ability to push the pace were the difference-makers.”

Looking Ahead

For the Pelicans, this win without Zion Williamson serves as a statement of the team’s depth and resilience. Williamson is expected to return soon, and with Ingram playing at an All-Star level, New Orleans looks poised to make noise in the Western Conference this season.

The Bulls, on the other hand, will need to tighten up their defense and find more consistency if they hope to avoid falling behind early in a competitive Eastern Conference. Head coach Billy Donovan acknowledged the need for improvement on both ends of the floor.

“We’ve got to be better defensively,” Donovan said. “You can’t give up over 120 points and expect to win games. We’ll make adjustments and learn from this.”

Final Score: Pelicans 123, Bulls 111

As the 2024-25 season gets underway, the Pelicans sent a strong message with this opening-night win: even without Zion Williamson, they’re a team to watch. With Brandon Ingram leading the charge, the future looks bright in New Orleans.