By admin 
In Wednesday night’s season opening, the host New Orleans Pelicans upset the Chicago Bulls 123-111, led by 33 points from Brandon Ingram and 23 from CJ McCollum.
The Pelicans overcame Zion Williamson’s illness with 14 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds from Dejounte Murray, 13 points from Jordan Hawkins, and 12 points from rookie No. 1 lottery pick Yves Missi.
The Bulls were led by Zach LaVine with 27 points, Nikola Vucevic with 21 points and 11 rebounds, Jalen Smith with 15, Josh Giddey with 14, and Coby White with 10. White also recorded six assists and eight rebounds.
After suffering a knee ailment that necessitated numerous major surgeries, Lonzo Ball made his first appearance in a regular-season game since January 14, 2022. In 13 minutes, he finished with five points, four assists, and two rebounds.
During a 9-0 run that saw McCollum score five points and Ingram score four, New Orleans took a 76-66 lead halfway through the third quarter.
Despite Chicago’s three-point comeback, the Pelicans’ 8-0 run extended their lead to 11 points, and Murray’s layup at the end of the third quarter gave them a 95-83 advantage.
Ingram nailed 3-pointers to begin and finish a 12-2 run that put New Orleans ahead 15 points halfway through the fourth quarter after the Bulls had scored the first seven points of the frame.
Eight lead changes and three ties occurred in the first quarter, with Hawkins’ 3-pointer breaking the final tie. That sparked an 8-0 run that put New Orleans ahead 25–17, their largest lead of the game.
By the end of the quarter, Giddey’s putback layup had reduced the deficit to 29–25. During the period, McCollum and Ingram each scored seven points.
Chicago pulled even at 45 thanks to eight points from LaVine, who had only three in the first quarter. Before LaVine scored the final eight of his 16 points in the second quarter to give the Bulls a seven-point advantage, McCollum’s 3-pointer snapped the tie.
The Pelicans led 59-58 at the half after a 9-1 surge that was capped by a 3-pointer from McCollum.