Warriors Struggle on the Road Against Pelicans
The Warriors had a rough start on their road trip, falling short against the struggling Pelicans. In fact, the injury report seemed more impressive than the actual starting lineup.
Turning the ball over routinely, they ended up losing 113-109 to a team sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference. It was disheartening to see the shots flying everywhere—off their shoes, into the opponents’ hands, and out of bounds, yet hardly any found the net.
Golden State, missing key players like Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis, found themselves trailing 31-19 by the end of the first quarter. They only managed to take the lead halfway through the third quarter.
“With our injuries, we have to perform well to win,” coach Steve Kerr remarked, reflecting on the team’s 21 turnovers and lack of scoring.
In a previous game, the reserves showcased their potential with a powerful comeback, but that energy seemed absent against the Pelicans.
Kerr noted, “The game was right there for us. We didn’t execute well enough.” They fell behind by as much as 14 points at times, and while they led 46-39 at halftime, it was a challenge to maintain that momentum.
Draymond Green, who returned after missing the last game, made some contributions but overall, the Warriors struggled to convert open shots.
They did take a brief lead at 86-85 with around 7 minutes left, but a failed challenge by Kerr led to a surge from the Pelicans, who answered with a swift 15-3 run.
Zion Williamson led the night for New Orleans, scoring 26 points, including ten in the crucial fourth quarter.
Implications of the Game
This loss puts the Warriors at 11-17 on the road, with a game against Memphis coming up. Surprisingly, they’re the only team in the Western Conference playoff spots with such a challenging record away from home.
Turning Point
It seems the Warriors’ momentum didn’t travel with them, as they struggled in the Smoothie King Center. Kerr expressed frustration over their offensive performance, highlighting poor spacing and missed opportunities.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t capitalize early, hitting just a fraction of their shots in the first half.
MVP of the Night
Interestingly, the standout performance didn’t come from a Warrior. Jonathan Kuminga, formerly of Golden State, debuted for the Hawks against the Wizards, scoring an impressive 27 points.
Game Status
Despite their struggles, the game remained competitive, as both teams fought offensive woes. New Orleans only made 10 of 40 from long range, but the Warriors were worse, managing just 11 of 45.
Looking Ahead
The Warriors now look ahead to Memphis. Despite a mixed record of 5 wins and 5 losses across their 11-game stretch early in the season, they have faced numerous injuries. Curry, Butler, Porzingis, and possibly Melton are all uncertain for upcoming games, and Horford rested against New Orleans.
