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Andrew LopezESPN
CHICAGO — Zion Williamson’s show is officially back. Even if it was just preseason viewing.
The New Orleans Pelicans forward returned to the court Tuesday night and scored 13 points in a 15-minute performance at the United Center in a 129-125 win over the Chicago Bulls.
Earlier on Tuesday, Williamson told ESPN his mindset was to treat this as one of the preseason games, but blew up his phone and took to social media about the more than a year he missed. He admitted that it was difficult to ignore the messages appearing in the media.
Williamson showed an epiphany of his old self during the contest. He was a forward for the Bulls and drove the baseline Patrick Williams for slums. He had what some on the Pelicans’ bench thought. Yet he flashed the skills that made him a household name.
After Tuesday’s game, he said he was most excited to play the game he loves. That didn’t mean fans could see everything the Pelicans have been working on with Williamson.
“I couldn’t show them everything,” Williamson said following the win. “But I’m getting a feel for it again. I’m finding spots, picking and choosing where I want to attack. But since I last played, it’s a new team. I’m still learning some guys. If we can do that for the rest of the preseason games, I think we’ll be in pretty good shape.
The Pelicans have only five players left since Williamson last wore a suit on May 4, 2021, two of them — Brandon Ingram When Kira Lewis Jr. –Will miss Tuesday’s preseason game due to injury.
New Orleans reorganize roster around Williamson, Ingram and Guard CJ McCallumthe Pelicans traded at last year’s trade deadline.
The Pelicans brought in a guard Devonte Graham Hoping to play alongside Williamson’s “Point Zion” iteration, Graham settled into the bench role for the Pelicans this time around, doing well with a team-high 21 points and five assists off the bench against the Bulls. Hooray.
He said he noticed a difference when Williamson was on the floor as the team packed paint in an attempt to stop him.
“I thought he was cool, too,” Graham said. “I know he was excited to be there. I know it’s good for him to hear his name again in the starting line-up and stuff.
It was also Willie Green’s first chance to coach Williamson after Green was brought in before last season. Green’s job is Williamson, who averaged 27.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 61.1% shooting percentage in the 2020-21 season. Jonas Valanciunas.
“He’s been in good shape and will continue to get better,” said Green. “That’s what we know about Z. He’s on it. He’s a competitor. And you know it’s not, but he’s 13 in 15 minutes. Had points, four rebounds. That’s the type of job he puts on the floor…”
