MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Willie Green’s second season as a head coach ended in mid-April.
More than six months passed between the end of that campaign and the start of Green’s third season in charge of the New Orleans Pelicans.
“It’s been too long of an offseason for us,” Green said.
On Wednesday, the Pelicans were finally able to turn the page in their regular-season opener against the Memphis Grizzlies. Thanks to a strong second quarter and contributions from an unlikely source, the Pelicans beat the Grizzlies 111-104 at FedEx Forum.
Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum combined to score 43 points, while New Orleans held short-handed Memphis to 41.8% shooting.
“Collectively, our group just came in with the mentality to execute offensively,” Green said. “And everything started with our defense. Our ability to get stops and keep this team out of transition. We know that’s something they do. It’s hard to win in this building. We will take it.”
Matt Ryan, a shooter the Pelicans signed to a two-way contract Sunday, chipped in with nine points. In the second quarter, Ryan helped turn the tide of the game by sinking three 3-pointers in a two-minute, 34-second span.
Ryan tied his career-high of three 3-point makes in his first game as a Pelican.
“It was huge for us,” Green said. “It kind of shifted the momentum. We are going to need those guys to continue to hit big shots for us. If you’re open, fire that thing up.”
New Orleans took a 10-point lead into halftime.
Zion Williamson punctuated the first half with a pair of jaw-dropping dunks.
With 1:10 remaining in the first quarter, Williamson dribbled between two defenders and dunked over reigning Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. Just seconds later, he was on the receiving end of an alley-oop, which Ingram served up to him.
Those were Williamson’s first two baskets of the night. The 23-year-old forward scored 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting in his first game since Jan. 2.
“It helped,” Williamson said. “For me, I think it’s going to be a few games. Just getting that in-game flow back. No matter how much I work out, train, play pickup, it’s nothing like a real NBA game.”
The Pelicans were in control for all of the second half. McCollum, who was limited by a thumb injury last season that he played through, connected on six 3-pointers en route to 24 points.
McCollum drilled his sixth 3 of the game with 8:52 remaining. His make from straight-on put the Pelicans ahead by 14 points, a shot that prompted Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins to take a timeout.
“It feels good, man,” McCollum said. “I put a lot of time into getting better at my craft. Shooting the ball is something I really take pride in. It’s nice to not have anything on my hand.”
The Grizzlies did not have Ja Morant, who is serving a 25-game suspension for violating NBA policy. They also did not have three of their big men — Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams — who were sidelined with injuries.
While the Pelicans were missing key reserves Trey Murphy and Jose Alvarado, they were not — for a change — the more injured team Wednesday. Williamson and Ingram played in their 13th game together since Green became New Orleans’ coach.
If the Pelicans are more fortunate than they’ve been, it will be the first of many games this season for which both stars suit up.
