West Notes: Pelicans, Zion Williamson, Warriors, Nuggets, lineup

Pelicans

It was a strong start to the preseason for Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy, both of whom missed significant time last year.

Williamson scored 15 points and Murphy added 18 as New Orleans opened its preseason with a win over Melbourne United on Friday — the first NBA team ever to play a game in Australia.

“It was electric,” head coach Willie Green said, via NOLA.com. “The fans were in tune. They were engaged. It was a really great platform to come here and play high-level competition.”

Williamson’s defensive activity stood out all weekend. He followed up Friday’s showing with nine rebounds, three steals, and two blocks in just 15 minutes during Sunday’s 127-92 win over Melbourne. The star forward had eight defensive boards alone.

But it was Saddiq Bey, returning from an ACL tear, who stole the spotlight Sunday. Bey scored 21 points in 21 minutes, knocked down four threes, and finished with a +27.

“I am just grateful to be out here,” Bey said postgame. “The opportunity to play in Australia is a blessing.”

Warriors

Golden State could make history this season by becoming the first team to start four players age 35 or older.

Al Horford (39) joins Stephen Curry (37), Jimmy Butler (36), and Draymond Green (35), with veterans Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield (both 33 this season) coming off the bench.

Managing minutes will be crucial for Steve Kerr, with Curry saying the goal is to avoid another late-season playoff chase.

“It felt like every game was a playoff game for two straight months,” Curry said, via Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle. “Then you transition into a very tough seven-game series and you’re 48 hours from a round two, Game 1. It was a very condensed high level of basketball.”

Nuggets

With the starting five locked in, David Adelman has spent training camp experimenting with his bench, writes The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando.

Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., Julian Strawther, Peyton Watson, and Jonas Valanciunas have formed the main second unit, though Adelman noted “that second unit will fluctuate” as he rotates in other players.

Brown, who returned to Denver as a free agent, likes the mix.

“I think we can do everything,” he said. “We’ve got shooters. We’ve got defenders.”

Durando reports that Jalen Pickett has impressed running the second and third units.

Meanwhile, Valanciunas — acquired from Sacramento — has been a facilitator at the top of the key, mimicking some of Nikola Jokic’s offensive responsibilities.

Adelman said he may pair Valanciunas with four smaller players to maximize spacing and ball movement.

“This has been good for him to get used to our system,” Adelman said. “We’ve gotta get to some post-up plays and things that he’s used to.”