The vibes were alive.

Derrick Rose led the Memphis Grizzlies to the floor as the sounds of Three 6 Mafia’s “Stay Fly” were played by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. “Grit and Grind” originators Tony Allen and Zach Randolph introduced the starting lineup as the FedExForum crowd grew louder and louder, leaning into the moment.

Grizzlies basketball was back against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Once the ball tipped off, reality set in. Ja Morant wasn’t around to drive the ball to the basket, Steven Adams wasn’t there to keep Jonas Valanciunas off the glass and Santi Aldama’s 3-point shooting couldn’t help the Grizzlies space the floor.

Memphis struggled shooting 3-pointers and got outrebounded in a 111-104 season-opening loss to the Pelicans.

Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. have elevated to the role of co-stars with Morant missing, but only Bane played near his expected level. He led the Grizzlies with 31 points and five made 3-pointers.

Jackson struggled and went scoreless in the first half and finished with nine points.

Here are some takeaways from the game.

New Grizzlies starting lineup

The difference one year makes. Bane was the only Grizzlies starter who began last season in the opening lineup. Bane was joined by Jackson, Marcus Smart, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Ziaire Williams. Smart, Bane and Jackson aren’t a surprise, but Williams and Tillman earned their spots while filling in for missing projected starters.

The bench unit included David Roddy, Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Derrick Rose. One name notably missing was Kenneth Lofton Jr. Even though the Grizzlies were short-handed at power forward and center, Jackson and Tillman staggered the center minutes. That’s probably not a good sign for Lofton.

Too many 3-pointers

The Grizzlies shot and missed a lot of 3-pointers in the preseason, and that problem carried over to the regular season opener. Memphis spaced the floor and created decent looks, but everyone other than Bane struggled. The Grizzlies shot 7-for-28 on 3-pointers in the first half. If the Grizzlies want to be a team that emphasizes spacing, 3-point shots will need to fall. Either that, or the Grizzlies will need to get to the rim and create more paint scoring opportunities.

Where’s the rebounding and scoring?

Adams isn’t here to save the Grizzlies on the offensive glass this season. Tillman held up well, but the Grizzlies were dominated as a team in rebounding. Jonas Valanciunas used his strength to often pin Jackson under the rim and put him out of position. Jackson had one rebound at halftime and no points. Four Grizzlies starters finished with four or more rebounds, but every Pelicans starters did that.

The Grizzlies often play off of their ability to get rebounds and get into transition, so it’s not a coincidence that Memphis struggled to score.

What’s next

The Grizzlies will return to their floor at home on Friday against the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Denver won its first game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis could use Aldama, but Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said the backup forward remains day-to-day with an ankle injury.