Zion Williamson makes return in New Orleans Pelicans' preseason win

Zion's show is back. It was only for a preseason viewing.

The New Orleans forward returned to the court Tuesday night, scoring 13 points in a 15-minute performance in a 129-125 win over the Chicago Bulls.

He admitted it was difficult to ignore the messages blowing up his phone and appearing on social media about the year-plus he missed.

During the contest, he showed flashes of himself. He hit Patrick Williams for a slam. He should have had a block on Williams in the first quarter that was ruled goaltending, but he didn't. He was still showing the skills that made him famous.

He said he was most excited to play the game he loves. Fans didn't get to see all of the things the team has been working on with him.

"Couldn't tell them everything," he said. Just getting a sense for it again. There are places to find them. I have to pick and choose where I want to go. I have a new team. I still don't know a lot of the guys. We were able to click today. I think we will be in good shape if we can do that for the rest of the preseason games.

Brandon Ingram and Kira Lewis Jr. missed Tuesday's preseason game because of injuries, and they are not the only ones.

Last year at the trade deadline, New Orleans dealt for guardCJ McCollum, who is now on the roster.

Graham has settled into a bench role with the Pelicans, something he did well against the Bulls with a team-high 21 points and five assists.

He said he could see a difference when teams tried to stop him.

Graham thought he looked good as well. He was excited to be out there. It was nice for him to hear his name in the starting lineup again. It isn't the end.

This was Willie Green's first chance to be a head coach. It's Green's job to fit Williamson, who averaged 27.0 points and 7.2 rebound per game with 61.1% shooting in 2020-21, back into an offense that has a lot of firepower.

Green said that he was going to continue to get better. We know that Z is working at it. He competes. It doesn't look like it but he had 13 points and four rebound in 15 minutes. That is the kind of work he does.