Pelicans Open Season Strong With Road Win Against Memphis

Pelicans 'Big 3' fuel victory on the road in Memphis.

The New Orleans Pelicans began their 2023 season with a 111-104 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies. New Orleans snapped a five-game losing streak in Memphis and now has won five of their last six season-opening games on the road. Both teams were short-handed on the night, as each team was missing three contributors to injury. 

The Pels got out the gate slowly in the first quarter. After a preseason full of turnovers, the Pelicans committed five in the first quarter, leading to nine Grizzlies points. New Orleans did get to the free throw line ten times and converted nine of those free throws.

Brandon Ingram started the game strong with 8 points in the quarter on 3/5 shooting. The rest of the Pelicans shot 4/11 and only attempted four three-point shots. Memphis went 4/14 from deep in the period and held a 28-25 lead heading into the second quarter.

The Pelicans bench stepped up in a major way in the second period. Newly acquired Matt Ryan, who the Pelicans gave their final two-way roster spot to, hit 3/5 from beyond the arc and scored nine points in seven minutes. New Orleans as a team shot 6/12 from three in the quarter as they built a double-digit lead late.

Oct 25, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Xavier Tillman (2) defends during the second half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis then went on a 10-0 run to cut the Pels lead down to five, thanks to Desmond Bane, who led them in scoring with 16 first-half points. New Orleans would then go on a 6-0 run, including two rim-rocking dunks by Zion Williamson to seize back momentum heading into halftime. The Pelicans led 57-47 at the break and seemed poised to take control in the second half. 

The teams played to a virtual standstill in the 3rd quarter, with New Orleans outscoring the Grizzlies 25-23 in the quarter. The Pelicans were dominant on the glass, outrebounding Memphis 42-27 after three quarters. Brandon Ingram led all scorers with eight points in the frame, and the Pelicans led 82-70 in the fourth. 

The fourth quarter was Zion Williamson's opportunity to take over, and he did just that. Williamson scored 12 points in the quarter as the Pelicans pulled away in the fourth. Williamson finished with 23 points and seven rebounds. 

New Orleans grabbed its largest lead of the game by going up by 17 and never looked back. Rookie Jordan Hawkins made his first basket in the NBA to begin the quarter when he nailed a three-point shot. 

Zion finished the game off with an array of powerful post moves that left the shorthanded Grizzlies with no answer for Williamson in the middle. The Pelicans 'Big 3' of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum combined for 66 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists on the evening. Wednesday night's game is only the trio's 11th regular season game played together.

New Orleans' dominance on the glass (52-37) and three-point shooting percentage (43% to Memphis's 27%) were key factors for the Pelicans to secure victory. All five of the Pels starting lineup scored in double-figures, and the Pelicans defense held Memphis to only two fast break points on the night. 

The Pelicans head home for their home opener against the New York Knicks. New York lost its home opener Wednesday night to the Boston Celtics 108-104. New Orleans looks to start 2-0 for the second consecutive season.