Zion Williamson needed only one trip down the floor to remind everyone why New Orleans is so eager to see what this season can become.
On the Pelicans’ second possession Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder at BOK Center, Williamson took a pass from Herbert Jones at the top of the key, spotted a wide opening in the defense and attacked the rim. He finished the play with a thunderous slam that instantly gave the preseason crowd something to react to.
Aday Mara didn’t challenge the finish, which may have been the smarter route unless he wanted his first NBA poster.
For New Orleans, the bigger takeaway was simpler: Williamson looked healthy, and the burst on that dunk suggested he’s in good shape heading into the year.
The 26-year-old forward put together a strong season last year, appearing in 62 games, the second-most of his career. He averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 steals.
Now the focus shifts to a Pelicans team trying to get back to the playoffs after a two-year absence. Williamson, Jones, Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey, Dejounte Murray and Derik Queen are expected to lead the way in their first season under coach Jamahl Mosley.
“These guys have all bought in. There's a system they know how to hold each other accountable night in and night out because you have a responsibility. There are great players in this league, and you aren’t shutting them all down, so your ability to make it difficult for them night in and night out is a five-man job,” said Mosley.
At halftime, New Orleans was trailing 67-52. Williamson had four points, four rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes.
In Other News...
Pelicans Debut Under Jahmal Mosley Brought Promise And Two Clear Concerns
Jahmal Mosleys first look at the Pelicans came with enough encouraging signs to make the preseason opener feel worthwhile, even in a game that was more about process than result. New Orleans knocked off Oklahoma City 116-110, and the mix of starters and bench players gave the new staff a chance to see how the pieces fit, with the reserve group helping fuel a pivotal run that shifted the games tone.
Still, the film likely will not be all flattering. The Pelicans had visible defensive lapses at times and some familiar problems at the free throw line, two areas that can quietly shape games once the games start counting. On the brighter side, Zion Williamson even took and made a few three-pointers, a small but notable sign of how the offense may continue to stretch under this setup while the team sorts out the rough edges. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Bench Just Raised An Early Concern About The Starters
One preseason game is hardly a verdict, but it was easy to see why the Pelicans left with an early question mark on the starting group. The opening unit struggled to establish rhythm, while the second unit came in with better pace and crisper ball movement, giving New Orleans a much cleaner look on both ends.
The encouraging part is that the bench showed real signs of depth, with several reserve players making a case for larger roles. The tougher part is sorting out whether the starters were simply out of sync for one night or if the team will need more consistent production from that group once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Got An Early Look At One Depth Battle That Matters
The preseason meeting with Oklahoma City gave the Pelicans a useful early glimpse at how some of the rosters younger pieces might fit into the broader picture. In a 116-110 win, New Orleans got to watch a Thunder group packed with rookies and other young players handle a bigger workload than usual, which is exactly the sort of setting teams use to sort through depth questions before the games start to count.
Jaron Pierre Jr. was part of that look for New Orleans, coming off the bench and turning in a modest showing in limited minutes. For a Pelicans team trying to identify who can help beyond the established rotation, these early exhibitions matter less for the final score than for the competition they reveal, and this one offered a first pass at a depth battle that could carry real weight later on. [Read more 🡒]