New Orleans’ compressed 2020 offseason was highlighted by the acquisitions of NBA veterans Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams, but on Monday, a trio of roster additions from the previous year excelled.
Brandon Ingram picked up from where he left off from his first All-Star selection by rolling to a 22-point night in 31 minutes, while fellow starting forward Zion Williamson tallied 13 points in each half en route to a team-best 26. Second-year guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker boosted the bench with 14 points, including four three-pointers.
Williamson and Alexander-Walker were the first and 17th picks in the 2019 draft, while Ingram was a centerpiece of that summer’s trade with the Lakers.