It was just one game.
But it was one that New Orleans Pelicans newcomer Bruce Brown desperately wanted and needed.
Brown, acquired in February as part of the Brandon Ingram trade, struggled in his first 10 games in New Orleans. His shots, whether in the paint or beyond the 3-point arc, just wouldn’t go down.
Finally, they started falling Tuesday night in the Pelicans’ 127-120 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
[On a night that was highlighted by Zion Williamson’s triple-double](https://www.nola.com/tncms/asset/editorial/4dced134-fe25-11ef-802a-fbf72396d443/) and strong finish, it was Brown’s early start that ignited the Pelicans.
Brown scored the first points of the game on a three-point play.
He scored 10 points in the first eight minutes of the game, matching the most points he had scored since arriving in New Orleans. He finished with 12 points, five assists, five rebounds and no turnovers.
“It was good,” Brown said about his best night as a Pelican. “As you all know, I’ve been struggling with the transition. So for my confidence, this helps a lot. Still, I’m learning. I’ve got to keep going. Being aggressive and making my shots. I think that’s the biggest key for me — making my shots and continuing to put my work in.”
Prior to Tuesday, Brown had made just 19 of 62 shots (30.6%) with the Pelicans.
He went 5 of 9 from the floor Tuesday.
His 3-point percentage wasn't good, either. He had made just 2 of 15 3-point attempts. But he buried his first one from the corner Tuesday night and finished 1 for 2 on the night.
“He’s fighting through the adversity of not playing up to his level or standard,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “So it was really good to see him come out tonight and get us off to a good start.”
Green inserted Brown into the starting lineup Tuesday night for his second start with the Pelicans. He also started against the Phoenix Suns two weeks ago and scored 10 points in that game.
“The mindset was he doesn’t have to rely on himself to have to be a playmaker every time,” Green said about starting Brown. “He’s got guys that are going to draw attention, and that’s going to free him up."
Brown said it doesn’t matter whether he starts or comes off the bench. He typically comes off the bench when the Pelicans go with their big lineup.
“I’m just trying to be aggressive and pick my spots,” he said.
Brown is in his seventh NBA season with his sixth different team. That includes a stint in Denver when he played a key role in the Nuggets’ championship run in 2023. That championship pedigree, along with his versatility to play any position, is why the Pelicans wanted him.
“He’s a winner,” Green said. “He’s a champion, and he understands how to get on the floor and make winning plays and he did that (Tuesday.)”
Brown, whose contract expires at the end of the season, would like nothing more than to see Tuesday’s breakout performance carry over into the remaining 16 games. That begins Thursday when the Pelicans host the Orlando Magic.
“I think just continuing being in the gym and just trying to get my rhythm back,” Brown said. “It’s a whole new offense. A different role on a different team in the middle of the year is super tough. But the last few years, I’ve figured it. So I’ll figure it out at some point.”