Pelicans Kick Off NBAxNBL Series with Thrilling Victory in Melbourne

The inaugural NBAxNBL: Melbourne Series kicked off with a packed crowd of nearly 15,000 at Rod Laver Arena, where the New Orleans Pelicans secured a 107-97 win over a determined Melbourne United. Among the spectators was the legendary Kevin Garnett, who enjoyed the game from courtside.

The Pelicans initially established a comfortable lead, stretching it to 16 points before having to narrowly fend off a late push from Melbourne. Zion Williamson had a standout performance, contributing 15 points and five assists, while Trey Murphy III led the team with 18 points. Croatian player Karlo Matkovic added six points, four rebounds, a block, a steal, and an assist. On the opposing side, Milton Doyle emerged as the top scorer for Melbourne with 25 points.

In other preseason action, the 2025 NBA schedule commenced at Etihad Arena with the New York Knicks defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 99-84. Pacome Dadiet, hailing from France, started for Mike Brown’s team, finishing with four points and two rebounds. Meanwhile, fellow French players Guerschon Yabusele and Mohamed Diawara came off the bench but did not score, contrasting with contributions from German Ariel Hukporti and Ukrainian Alex Len, who managed six and five points, respectively. Turkish player Adem Bona registered four points on the losing side.

The preseason will continue over the next few days, with teams from North America joining the action. Notably, the Los Angeles Lakers will face the Phoenix Suns in Palm Desert on Friday. The Pelicans are set to remain in Melbourne to take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday, while the Knicks and 76ers are scheduled for a rematch in Abu Dhabi.

Stay tuned for the latest updates!