NEW YORK — It started behind the Pelicans’ bench, throughout New Orleans’ surprise postseason run this spring. There, above the chain hanging from Zion Williamson’s strapping neck, was that familiar rise of his bulbous cheeks. After the knee surgery, the broken finger, the countless setbacks from a fractured right foot, after playing only 85 games in his first three seasons, Williamson started smiling again.
And here he was Wednesday, cheesing from ear to ear with that giant hoop sparkling under his left lobe, having dropped a casual 25 points in the Pelicans’ 130-108 opening night drubbing of the Brooklyn Nets — the All-Star forward’s resounding season debut.