Pelicans-Pacers: Zion and Ingram gain power | Pelicans

Since Willie Green took over as coach of the New Orleans Pelicans more than three years ago, he has suffered a seemingly endless series of injuries.

Zion Williamson did not play at all in Green's first season as the team's coach, which was due to a broken right foot.

This season, which is Green's fourth in New Orleans, the team is already missing four of its top six players. Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones are all out.

“This is it,” Green said of the Pelicans’ injury misfortune. “But I’m not staying there. I won't stay there long. Life is too good. I am so grateful for the opportunity to lead.”

Green's injury-depleted Pelicans were back home after a four-game road trip, and while the opening minutes against the Indiana Pacers were ugly, New Orleans found a spark en route to a 125-118 victory on Friday.

Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram combined for 60 points and the Pelicans received key contributions from several inexperienced players as they ended a three-game losing streak and improved to 3-3 overall.

The Pelicans entered Friday's game with the NBA's 27th-ranked offense. Surprisingly, scoring points wasn't a problem against the Pacers.

Williamson looked much more relaxed compared to Wednesday's game, shooting 5 of 20 from the field in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. He scored 34 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out ten assists.

Williamson and Ingram both played complete games.

At the 4:26 mark of the fourth quarter, Ingram gave Williamson a bounce pass that prompted the Pelicans power forward to dunk. That gave the Pelicans a seven-point lead.

Ingram scored 26 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

In the second half, Williamson and Ingram received assistance from Jordan Hawkins, a second-year guard, and Brandon Boston, a winger on a two-way contract. Hawkins and Boston both made 3s in the final minute of the third quarter.

Hawkins battled lower back pain en route to 23 points. His layup with 1:25 left gave the Pelicans a four-point lead.

Rookie center Yves Missi converted another shot at the basket with 51.6 seconds left, increasing New Orleans' lead to six points.

The Pelicans had five players score in double figures and set a new season high, easily surpassing the 123 points they scored on opening night against the Chicago Bulls.

The Pelicans have won the two games they have played at the Smoothie King Center this season. They next face the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.