NBA: Zion Williamson’s quick start helps Pelicans beat Magic

Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) looks for a shot against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

ORLANDO, Florida — Brandon Ingram scored 18 points, Zion Williamson had 16 and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Orlando Magic 104-92 in the NBA on Tuesday night.

Williamson finished the first quarter with 10 points, four steals, two assists and a rebound. He shot 6 of 8 in 16 minutes overall. Ingram was 8-of-16 shooting. The Pelicans were 35 of 59 from inside the 3-point line but just 7 of 28 outside it.

Franz Wagner scored 19 points and Moritz Wagner had 16 for Orlando. The brothers combined to shoot 15 of 21 while the rest of the Magic shot 20 of 63.

Zion Williamson put on a show in the first half vs the Magic 🤩

16 PTS
6/8 FGM
3 REB
3 AST
5 STL

NOP/ORL live on the NBA APP pic.twitter.com/4e8Ml4Vio4

— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2023

CELTICS 123, KNICKS 110

Jason Tatum scored 28 points, Kristaps Porzingis scored 20 and host Boston beat New York with the help of 23 3-pointers.

Jayson Tatum was cooking all night in Boston's 123-110 win over the Knicks 🔥

28 PTS (9/15 FGM)
5/8 3PM
8 REB
4 AST
3 STL pic.twitter.com/I49NQxj1ro

— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2023

The Celtics put it up from deep 52 times, shooting 44.2%. Jaylen Brown added 17 points for the Celtics, playing alongside Tatum for the first time this preseason.

Quentin Grimes scored 22 points for the Knicks, who rested their starters.

THUNDER 124, BUCKS 101

SGA gets into the lane and finds Chet in the corner 🔥

Holmgren's up to 16 PTS ON 6/7 FGM.

Thunder/Bucks live on the NBA App: https://t.co/htyakZeFve pic.twitter.com/uAvcwYdC9A

— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2023

Josh Giddey scored 19 points, Chet Holmgren scored 18 and Oklahoma City beat visiting Milwaukee.

Giddey finished 9 of 12 from the field and Holmgren was 7 of 8. The Thunder were 48 of 85 (56.5%).

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 18 points for Milwaukee. In his second game with the Bucks, Damian Lillard scored five points on 2-of-11 shooting. He’s 5 of 21 in two preseason games.

RAPTORS 106, BULLS 102

Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam scored 22 points apiece and visiting Toronto beat Chicago to improve to 3-0 in the preseason.

Zach LaVine scored 25 points and Nikola Vucevic had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls, whose starters played the majority of the game. Chicago used only three bench players.

CLIPPERS 116, NUGGETS 103

Paul George scored 23 points shooting 9 of 13 and Kawhi Leonard scored 11 and host Los Angeles beat Denver’s reserves.

Rookie Hunter Tyson scored 19 points and former Clipper Reggie Jackson scored 15 for the Nuggets

TIMBERWOLVES 138, MACCABI RA’ANANA 111

Luka Garza scored 30 points, Josh Minott scored 23 and host Minnesota, absent its starters, beat Maccabi Ra’anana of Israel.

Dwayne Bacon, who played collegiately at Florida State, scored 26 points for Ra’anana. Dakarai Tucker, who played at Utah, added 24 points for the Israeli club.