The New Orleans Pelicans took part in the first time ever that an NBA team played in Australia against Melbourne United early on Friday morning.

Pelicans fans were put to the test quickly as the first chance to see their team take the court this year took place at 4:30 am CT. New Orleans won 107-97, but the real win was being able to take part in that environment and add a large influx of new fans overseas.

It's hard to say exactly who had the best game for the Pelicans, but it's because the entirety of the new big three stood out. Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy and Jordan Poole looked like the stars that New Orleans needs so far.

Williamson will be the biggest discussion point from this game, but for good reasons.

The news that he "felt the best" he has since college was good to see, but nothing that the basketball world hasn't heard before. This was a chance to prove that things are different, and so far, he has passed the eye test.

It doesn't look as though his explosiveness has lost even a step despite the weight loss. He just looks faster and more energetic on both sides of the ball. 

The 25-year-old had 15 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals on 5-of-8 from the field.

One thing that stood out was the immediate payoff from the work that the media got a glimpse of in training camp with the Williamson/Murphy two-man game.

Williamson was dishing the ball to his fellow forward early on with three assists and some other good looks in the first quarter alone.

Murphy led the Pelicans in scoring with 18 points and a rebound. He also had three steals on defense. Maybe the most encouraging thing for New Orleans is that he was able to score 18 without a good night from deep, going just 2-for-7.

The 25-year-old was aggressive in getting to the rim, both off of assists and creating his own shot. 

Poole had the lightest day of those three, but still had 11 points with four rebounds and four assists.

The most noticeable change with him is just the pace that he brings to the court. New Orleans was looking as fast as a team as they have in years, which was a big focus this offseason.

He seems to be a good fit early on with Williamson and Murphy. Once that trio heats up from three, it feels like they could be a true force.

Jeremiah Fears was a standout rookie, but for a mix of reasons. It was great to see him get aggressive in driving to the rim and getting a shot up, but he was far from efficient.

Fears shot just 3-of-15 from the field and 0-for-6 from three. He finished with seven points, three rebounds and three assists.

Micah Peavy also made his debut and looked like the player who had earned rave reviews out of training camp. He was a disruptive defender who hit a nice three from the top of the key, ending with seven points and three steals.

If Peavy can do that on a regular basis, even for 10 minutes a game, he will have a role as a rookie.

It was closer than the Pelicans would have liked, but an overall solid first impression for a squad that could have any number of results this season.