Pelicans-Magic: Zion Williamson shone in the preseason game | Pelicans

As the first half of the New Orleans Pelicans' preseason opener drew to a close, Zion Williamson set up a screen near the 3-point arc for the team's key offseason addition, point guard Dejounte Murray.

Murray pulled two defenders toward him and then dropped a bounce pass to Williamson. Williamson plowed through the paint and scored at the rim, one of his eight baskets in the first half.

On Monday, Williamson scored 16 points (8 of 11 shooting), eight rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes. It was an impressive first impression ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The Pelicans defeated the Orlando Magic 106-104 at the Smoothie King Center. The teams will play again on Friday in Orlando, Florida.

“With Dejounte, I told him – I was joking,” Williamson said. “I joked with (him) and CJ, 'It's the first time I've played with a real point guard in a long time, man.' “

New Orleans has four preseason games before its regular-season opener on Oct. 23 against the Chicago Bulls. Pelicans coach Willie Green, who had a 12-year NBA career, recalled playing eight preseason games a season early in his career.

“I think four is fine,” Green said. “Some teams play five games. I think that's a good amount. Especially given the way the game is played now. It's just faster. You have to be careful how long the boys play. It's a long season. I’m fine with four.”

With the exception of Brandon Ingram, all of the Pelicans' regular players were fit for Monday's game. Green said last week that Ingram seemed “dominant” during training camp. Ingram warmed up before the game and was not injured.

“He’s fine,” Green said. “This is simply a game that everyone agrees on unless Brandon plays this game. His entire mental space is preparing for the regular season. We like where he is and how he feels and how his body feels. He had a great camp. We’ll move forward from there.”

The Pelicans had Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Williamson and Daniel Theis in the starting lineup. McCollum was responsible for three of the team's four 3-pointers in the first half. The 33-year-old ranked third in the NBA in 3-pointers per game last season.

Off the bench, Jordan Hawkins scored 18 points in 21 minutes. The second-year guard played the fearless style of basketball he displayed as a rookie. In the third quarter, Hawkins hit a 26-foot pull-up 3 that increased the Pelicans' lead to 10 points.

“Hawk can bring a lot to this team,” Williamson said. “For anyone who watched last season, he had some (30-point games). His confidence was never a problem. For him it's now about learning the game even more. Especially defensively. Hawk will contribute a lot to this team.”

Green said before the game that he planned to play about 20 minutes against the Pelicans' starters. Everyone ended up in this area.

The Pelicans forced the Magic into 23 turnovers, which they converted into 26 points. Five New Orleans players finished the game with two steals.

“It was a fun game,” Green said. “I liked the fact that you can see a lot from all the concepts we work on in training camp.” That's refreshing. It's refreshing to know that these people are taking this information and applying it. That's what preseason is for. To bring your group together, get them on stage, and make sure they're fundamentally healthy. There are a lot of good things we can take away from the film.”