A confident pre-season debut has pushed Dyson Daniels' case for an immediate role for New Orleans in his rookie NBA season.

The 19-year-old Australian was taken eighth in this year's NBA draft by the Pelicans after a strong G League campaign for Ignite.

He transferred that form onto the NBA stage on Wednesday (AEST), scoring 15 points and adding five rebounds, three steals and two blocks in a 129-125 win over Chicago.

Twelve of Daniels' points came in the final quarter while a smooth no-look assist and powerful block on Nikola Vucevic turned heads.

He played 23 minutes while star forward Zion Williamson returned from long-term injury for the Pelicans.