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

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Brandon Ingram scored 33 points, icing the game with a baseline turnaround jumper with 1:46 to go, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame Zion Williamson's absence to defeat the Chicago Bulls 123-111 on Wednesday night in both clubs' season opener.

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.

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.

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.

Chicago turned the ball over 21 times, leading to 30 Pelicans points. LeVine committed seven turnovers.

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

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram dives for a loose ball against Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) goes to the basket between Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) goes to the basket between Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (7) and guard Josh Giddey (3) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) loses the ball as he drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) pulls down the ball against Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) blocks a shot by Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram dives for a loose ball against Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) goes to the basket against Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Ja Morant had 22 points, 10 assists and five rebounds in his return to action to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 126-124 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Morant appeared in just nine games last season after serving a 25-game league suspension before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Santi Aldama scored 27 points and Desmond Bane added 24 more for the Grizzlies.

Lauri Markkanen had 35 points and nine rebounds for Utah. Jordan Clarkson chipped in for 17 points and seven assists off the bench. Walker Kessler had 16 points and 14 rebounds.

The Jazz erased a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter and tied it at 116 on Kessler’s tip-in with 2:48 left. Aldama scored back-to-back baskets to put the Grizzlies in front for good.

Grizzlies: Memphis cooked the Jazz from the perimeter for the bulk of four quarters. Aldama, Bane, and Jay Huff combined for 12 of the Grizzlies' 17 3-poiners.

Jazz: Sloppiness on offense undermined Utah’s efforts to rally until the fourth quarter. The Jazz committed 16 turnovers, leading to 22 points for Memphis, in the first three quarters.

After trailing by as many as 17 points in the first half, Utah took a 105-104 lead with 6:45 left after a 17-3 run. Taylor Hendricks and Markkanen combined for two baskets and four free throws in the run to set up a tight finish.

Huff had 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, marking just the fourth time in his NBA career – and the first time in two seasons – that he's scored in the double digits.

The Grizzlies visit Houston on Friday, and the Jazz host Golden State on the same night.

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) holds the ball against the Utah Jazz during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks to drive against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) brings the ball up the court against Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) blocks the shot of Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) lays the ball up against Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) reacts to a play against the Utah Jazz during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dribbles past Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray)