NBA

Chicago Bulls at New Orleans Pelicans

· National Basketball Association
0-1, 0-1 Away
Final
111 - 123

1-0, 1-0 Home

Brandon Ingram scores 33, and the Pelicans beat the Bulls 123-111 without Zion Williamson

Dejounte Murray appears in discomfort after being fouled on 3-pointer

Newly-acquired point guard Dejounte Murray had 14 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in his Pelicans debut, but injured his left hand in the fourth quarter. CJ McCollum scored 23 for New Orleans.

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.

Up next The Bulls visit Milwaukee on Friday, the same day the Pelicans open a four-game trip at Portland.

Regular Season Series

NO leads series 1-0

Recent Plays

4th 0.0 End of Game 111 - 123
4th 0.0 End of the 4th Quarter 111 - 123
4th 3.0 Antonio Reeves lost ball turnover (Dalen Terry steals) 111 - 123
4th 10.1 Karlo Matkovic offensive rebound 111 - 123
4th 14.0 Antonio Reeves misses 22-foot three point jumper 111 - 123

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/chi.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCHI https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nba/500/no.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originNO
42-86 FG 45-97
49 Field Goal % 46
10-34 3PT 14-37
29 Three Point % 38
17-25 FT 19-21
68 Free Throw % 90
47 Rebounds 42
9 Offensive Rebounds 7
38 Defensive Rebounds 35
26 Assists 29
4 Steals 15
2 Blocks 10
21 Turnovers 11
0 Team Turnovers 1
21 Total Turnovers 12
0 Technical Fouls 0
0 Total Technical Fouls 0
0 Flagrant Fouls 0
30 Points Conceded Off Turnovers 8
15 Fast Break Points 29
60 Points in Paint 56
16 Fouls 17
New Orleans Pelicans New Orleans Pelicans Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Jordan Poole, G Day-To-Day Dec 25
Herbert Jones, F Out Dec 25
Dejounte Murray, G Out Sep 25
Chicago Bulls Chicago Bulls Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Noa Essengue, F Out Dec 3

Game Information

Smoothie King Center

Location: New Orleans, LA
Capacity:

2025-26 Central Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
Detroit 24 6 .800 - W3
Cleveland 17 15 .531 8 L1
Chicago 14 15 .483 9.5 W4
Milwaukee 12 18 .400 12 W1
Indiana 6 24 .200 18 L6

2025-26 Southwest Standings

TEAM W L PCT GB STRK
San Antonio 23 7 .767 - W8
Houston 18 10 .643 4 W1
Memphis 14 16 .467 9 W1
Dallas 12 20 .375 12 L1
New Orleans 8 23 .258 15.5 L1
Full Standings

NBA News

JJ Redick addresses Austin Reaves' injury

JJ Redick addresses Austin Reaves' injury

Lakers coach JJ Redick provides a brief update on the injury that kept Austin Reaves out of the second half on Christmas Day.

Amen Thompson's 26 points lead Rockets to 119-96 win over Doncic and the Lakers

Amen Thompson's 26 points lead Rockets to 119-96 win over Doncic and the Lakers

— Amen Thompson scored 26 points to lead six players in double figures and the Houston Rockets never trailed in beating Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers 117-96 on Thursday night.

Lakers' Reaves (calf) exits Christmas Day loss; MRI set for Friday

Lakers' Reaves (calf) exits Christmas Day loss; MRI set for Friday

The Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves exited their Christmas Day loss to the Houston Rockets because of left calf soreness.

Streaking Warriors in 'good place' after Kerr-Green tiff

Streaking Warriors in 'good place' after Kerr-Green tiff

The Warriors are "in a good place," according to Steve Kerr, as Golden State weathered a blowup between the coach and Draymond Green in the midst of a 3-0 homestand.