The New Orleans Pelicans started their 2023-2024 campaign in a preseason battle against the Orlando Magic. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram suited up for a preseason game after numerous years. Despite the Pelicans suffering a pretty one-sided 122-105 loss, there were several positive takeaways for Willie Green’s team.
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The big three of CJ McCollum, Williamson, and Ingram looked lethal when taking on the floor at the same time. Throughout the contest, the Pels opened up the court by utilizing two men deep in corners. Zion spoke about the benefits of this offensive move and how it helped the primary scorers of the team to lodge points with ease. Certainly, NOLA did take “advantage” of a more spread-out court.
Playing against a team with multiple All-Stars is a defensive nightmare for several teams. With Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson on the floor, the latter believes that opponents would not be too sure whom to focus on. Needless to say, the frontcourt pairing will capitalize on this dilemma.
Question: “How much does it help that y’all are trying to do more with you and BI working together? Are y’all trying to take advantage of all the attention y’all can bring?”
Zion: “That’s gonna be good for us cause the defense is gonna have to make a decision on whether they gon’ focus on me or focus on BI and both of us are gonna capitalize on that.”
Zion Williamson looked healthy after recovering from a hamstring injury
Despite the Magic’s Wendell Carter Jr. spoiling the Louisiana side’s preseason opener, the Pels will be satisfied with the performance that their key players put up. Neither of the two playing for more than 17 minutes, McCollum and Ingram combined for 26 points and 10 made field goals.
Zion Williamson, who took on the floor after 10 months, had an excellent outing as well. Playing slightly more than 15 minutes, the 6ft 6” forward recorded a 12-point, 5-rebound, and 5-assist stat line. Apart from shooting 50% from the field, the former Duke Blue Devil finished with the team’s highest box plus-minus (+5).
Zion has had an injury-riddled start to his young career. Apart from missing out on the entire 2021-2022 campaign, Williamson has not suited up for more than 61 games in any season. This past season, the power forward was leading the Pelicans to be a top-3 team in the West. Unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring strain in only their first game in the year 2023 and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Zanos has spoken about constantly being in the gym this summer. Indeed, it is pretty evident that he did shed some weight and is looking more jacked than ever before. From what we’ve seen in the New Orleans Pelicans’ only preseason outing, Williamson does have the capabilities to be “unguardable“.
