Overview
- New Orleans held off Melbourne United 107–97 at Rod Laver Arena in the first game by an NBA franchise on Australian soil.
- Trey Murphy III led the Pelicans with 18 points, Zion Williamson added 15 points and five assists, and United’s Milton Doyle scored a game-high 25.
- A near-15,000 sellout attended the opener, with Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett among those courtside.
- The Pelicans stay in Melbourne to face South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday as part of the NBA’s wider slate of international preseason games.
- Williamson arrived noticeably slimmer and says he feels the best he has since college, with coach Willie Green planning to manage minutes; broadcasts are on NBA TV/Fubo in the U.S. and Network 10/Kayo in Australia.