Last season, the Warriors had to wait until their 17th away game to record a third victory away from Chase Center. On the floor of New Orleans last night, they won their third away match in as many games this season, behind a still-incandescent Stephen Curry, a Chris Paul who stabilizes and maximizes the second five, and a bench depth which allowed them to manage the absences of Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga.
Golden State led the entire first half, being eight points ahead on several occasions but Zion Williamson, too powerful in the low post, and CJ McCollum allowed the Pelicans to stay in ambush (59-57). And then, the third quarter arrived and the Warriors, as always, produced their effort. It started with Stephen Curry driving the Pelicans defense crazy, before seeing Chris Paul lead a 13-1 run with the double MVP on the bench to increase the lead to +20 under the eyes of Zion Williamson mute and suddenly helpless (102-82).
The absence of Brandon Ingram, added to that of Trey Murphy III, still injured, was too much for the Pelicans. At just 10/39 from 3-point range, the Warriors blocked the paint and New Orleans was never able to get back into the game. It’s their first defeat of the season.
For the second game of their first back-to-back of the season, and without two major players in their rotation, the Warriors and Steve Kerr opened their bench, placing particular trust in their two rookies. They both responded, with a double-double for Trayce Jackson-Davis (13 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks) and a serious game from Brandon Podziemski (5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Stephen Curry continues his fiery start to the season. 41 points in Sacramento at 7/10 from a distance, 24 points at 6/14 in Houston, and 42 points in New Orleans at 68% on shots, and 7/13 at 3-points! Stephen Curry has been hot since the start of the season. He scored 16 of Golden State’s first 18 points, before adding 25 in the second half against a defense that tried everything to slow him down. The Warriors star hadn’t played at the Smoothie King Center since 2021, when he scored 37 points there. Two years and four games later, he managed to do even better to offer Pelicans fans another show!
– The Pelicans looking for shooting and spacing. It has been their Achilles heel for several seasons, as has their state of health, and the leaders of the Bayou franchise tried to resolve the problem this summer. They drafted Jordan Hawkins, champion with UConn last season, known for his long distance skills. They also just signed Matt Ryan. Last night, with the absence of Brandon Ingram, they lacked scoring and threat from distance. Despite shooting 36% in the first half, they missed 15 of their 17 attempts from distance after the break, allowing the Warriors defense to form a wall to slow down Zion Williamson.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
