New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks Victorious in Preseason Openers

Cover photo: New Orleans Pelicans’ guard Jeremiah Fears goes up for a layup against Melbourne United’s Jesse Edwards during the two teams’ preseason game from Rod Laver Arena on Friday, October 3. The Pelicans won the game 107-97. Photo credit: James Ross, AAP.

The New York Knicks and New Orleans Pelicans won their respective preseason opening games on Friday, October 3, with the Knicks defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 99-84 in Abu Dhabi and the Pelicans defeating Melbourne United 107-97 in from Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne in the NBAxNBL Series exhibition game. 

The Knicks and Sixers were tied 25-25 after one quarter, but the Knicks outscored Philadelphia 56-32 over the second and third quarters. Rookie VJ Edgecombe (4-of-13) and star Tyrese Maxey (5-of-12) each scored 14 points for the 76ers, while forward Dominick Barlow grabbed 10 rebounds. 

For the Knicks, Miles McBride off the bench in 21 minutes shot 5-of-7 (2-of-4 from downtown) for 12 points. Karl-Anthony Towns made 7-of-8 from the line for 11 points and Mikal Bridges scored 10 points. Mitchell Robinson corralled 16 rebounds. 

In Melbourne, 31-year-old Milton Doyle led Melbourne United with 25 points (9-of-21) in their game against the Pelicans. Doyle, a Chicago, Illinois native, played at Loyola University of Chicago from 2013-17. He spent time during the 2017-18 NBA season with the Brooklyn Nets and Long Island Nets and 2019-20 with the Windy City Bulls. 

Also for United, 25-year-old 7-footer Jesse Edwards shot 5-of-8 for 12 points and 7 rebounds. Tom Wilson off the bench shot 4-of-8 for 12 points while Dash Daniels, a 6 foot, 7 inch, 17-year-old guard, shot 5-of-10 for 11 points. 

On the Pelicans’ side, Trey Murphy III shot 7-of-13 (2-of-7 from downtown) for a team-leading 18 points. Zion Williamson shot 5-of-8 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free-throw line for 15 points. Offseason acquisition Jordan Poole scored 11 points (3-of-9, 1-of-6 from deep) in 20 minutes. Jose Alvarado off the bench in 20 minutes shot 4-of-5 (3-of-4 from deep) for 11 points. Jordan Hawkins also scored 11 and Bryce McGowens scored 10. Rookie 18-year-old Jeremiah Fears struggled, shooting just 3-of-15. 

Melbourne United has been around since 1984 - when they were known as the Melbourne Tigers, which they were up until 2014. The franchise has won six National Basketball League championships in their history - 1993, 1997, 2006, 2008, 2018, 2021. Their most accomplished player in team history is Andrew Gaze, a 6 foot, 7 inch Melbourne native who is considered one of the greatest international players in basketball history. Gaze won fourteen NBL scoring titles, in 1986, 1988, 1989, and from 1999-2001. He won seven league MVPs (1991, 1992, 1994-98) and was an 11-time NBL All-Star (1988-1997, 2004). He won NBL titles in 1993 and 1997 and was All-NBL 1st team each season from 1986-2000.