Zion Williamson quiets longtime concern and 2 other takeaways from Pelicans win

At long last New Orleans Pelicans basketball is back. Early Monday afternoon, the Pellies kicked off their preseason in a home matchup against the Orlando Magic. The game came down to the wire, with New Orleans holding on to a slim lead to win, 106-104, after the Magic's deep 3-point attempt to take the lead fell wayward.

As per usual with preseason contests, the real rotation pieces on both teams only played a few stints, but there were still some real substantial takeaways from the day. Jordan Hawkins in particular stood out for the Pelicans. The former UConn Husky is going into his sophomore season in the NBA after a tumultuous rookie campaign that featured both soaring highs and concerning lows.

The bright spots that he showed last season gave indications that Hawkins could grow into a lethal scorer in this league, though, particularly as an incendiary outside shooter. Unfortunately, his shaky handle and inefficiencies as a scorer inside of the arc kept him from earning consistent minutes from Head Coach Willie Green.

Against the Magic, Hawkins showcased both his primary skill as a shooter and the improvements he's made on the weaker parts of his game. He finished as the Pelicans' leading scorer with 18 points in 21 minutes on 5-8 shooting, including 2-5 from 3-point land. He went a perfect 3-3 on twos, including two silky-smooth midrange pull-ups.

While he didn't get any buckets at the cup — something that he'll need to show in his development — he appeared much more comfortable as a ball-handler, getting into his spots inside the arc with ease. He was able to pressure Orlando's vaunted defense on multiple occasions, drawing fouls and going to the line three separate times for seven total free throws. He also added two blocks and two assists to just one turnover.

The Pelicans could wind up with a shaky bench next season if they don't get the internal development that they need. Jordan Hawkins becoming a reliable scorer and playmaker off of the pine would be huge for New Orleans. They'll be hoping that he continues to show significant growth as a ball-handler, interior scorer, and decision-maker in his second year.

2 other key takeaways from Pelicans vs Magic Preseason Game 1

1. Brandon Ingram missing from action

Brandon Ingram was a notable absence from the Pelicans first preseason game. Reportedly, it wasn't due to injury or anything serious but rather just a period of rest for Ingram. But, with the team's starting lineup still undecided and Coach Green looking to find a group that he can lean on to build consistency with, it's intriguing that Ingram wasn't on the floor against Orlando.

Perhaps Ingram really needed the day off after going above and beyond in training camp. Or maybe Trey Murphy III's injury made Ingram's absence more acceptable since New Orleans wouldn't be at full strength regardless. But, it could mean that the team is preparing for Ingram's permanent absence and that a potential trade is being cooked up behind the scenes.

2. Zion Williamson looked fit and dominant

He only played 19 minutes, but Zion Williamson was going full speed every second he was on the floor against the Magic. After years of discussions around his conditioning and longevity, it appears that Zion finally committed to slimming down this past offseason and will work to stay in peak shape throughout the long NBA campaign.

There were fears that he may have gotten too small, as he self-reported that he was back to his teenage playing weight from his days with the Duke Blue Devils. But from what he showed against Orlando, Zion might have found his ideal build as a grown NBA player.

He finished with 16 points on a stellar 8-11 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He got to the rim at will with a first step that looks even more unguardable now and was active and impactful on the defensive end of the court. If he maintains this level of conditioning, he should be a much more reliable defender and durable NBA pro moving forward.