Watch Zion Williamson drop 31 on Milwaukee in final preseason game

Zion Williamson looks ready for the season.

Let’s not read too much into it, this was just a preseason game against a Milwaukee team sitting Giannis Antetokounmpo, but still the explosiveness of Zion going to the rim — and his ability to finish — was turning heads on Friday night as he scored 31 points on 12-of-22 shooting, with nine rebounds.

Two big keys for Zion in this game: He played 33 minutes — Stan Van Gundy has given him a regular season load in the preseason and he has held up. The other key, he got to the line and was 7-of-11 on free throws (he shot 64% a year ago).

The Pelicans need this Zion all season. New Orleans has questions about if they have enough shooting and defense to make the playoffs in a deep West; for them to do so Zion and Brandon Ingram need to take a step forward. Against the Bucks Friday, Williamson looked healthy and like a player ready to make that leap.

In a few days Zion will get the chance to prove his improved play is not just a preseason thing.

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Watch Zion Williamson drop 31 on Milwaukee in final preseason game originally appeared on NBCSports.com