Key Takeaways
- The Result: New Orleans held off a late Golden State rally to secure a 113-109 victory at the Smoothie King Center.
- Zion Dominates: Zion Williamson bullied the Warriors’ interior, finishing with 26 points on 11-of-21 shooting.
- Murray’s Return: Dejounte Murray logged his first minutes in nearly 13 months, contributing 13 points and a clutch late-game layup.
NEW ORLEANS — The Golden State Warriors are running out of time and healthy bodies. Despite a career-high 28 points from De’Anthony Melton, an injury-ravaged Warriors squad fell 113-109 to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. The loss marks Golden State’s third defeat in four games, pushing them further into the treacherous waters of the Western Conference play-in race.
Short-Handed Warriors Can’t Close
Golden State entered the arena without three of its most vital pillars. Stephen Curry (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (illness), and Al Horford (toe) all watched from the sidelines, leaving head coach Steve Kerr with just nine active players. While Moses Moody (24 points) and Brandin Podziemski (16 points) provided a spark, the Warriors simply lacked the late-game execution to overcome New Orleans’ physicality.
The Pelicans weaponized their size early. Zion Williamson lived in the paint, forcing Draymond Green into difficult defensive rotations. New Orleans built a double-digit lead in the first quarter, and while the Warriors clawed back to within a single possession in the final minutes, a critical missed free throw by Melton and a high-arcing reverse layup by Saddiq Bey put the game on ice.
| Player/Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists/Steals | Field Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson (NOP) | 26 | 6 | 2 STL | 11-21 |
| De’Anthony Melton (GSW) | 28 | 4 | 3 AST | 8-20 |
| Saddiq Bey (NOP) | 18 | 5 | 1 BLK | 6-13 |
| Moses Moody (GSW) | 24 | 5 | 3 AST | 7-13 |
| Dejounte Murray (NOP) | 13 | 2 | 3 AST | Season Debut |
What They Said
“It was great to have Dejounte back out there. His energy is infectious. We’re sprinting through the finish line this season, regardless of where we sit in the standings. Our goal is to build momentum for the future.” — James Borrego, Pelicans Interim Head Coach
“We’re fighting uphill right now. You play with nine guys against a physical team like New Orleans, and the margin for error is zero. We had our chances, but we didn’t take care of the ball in the third.” — Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach
Playoff Implications: The Western Conference Grind
With this loss, Golden State (30-28) remains locked in the 10th spot in the West, but their cushion over the chasing pack is thinning. The absence of Stephen Curry has been felt acutely; the Warriors have now lost seven of their last eight games without their superstar floor general. They desperately need Curry back before the play-in tournament begins, or they risk a quick exit.
For New Orleans, the win is more about culture than contention. While they sit well outside the play-in picture at 17-42, the successful return of Dejounte Murray provides a blueprint for their 2026-27 campaign. The Pelicans have now won six of their last seven at home, turning the Smoothie King Center into a difficult venue for desperate teams like Golden State.
