The 2019-2020 Golden State Warriors now know what victory tastes like, after smacking around a severely depleted New Orleans Pelicans squad 134-123.
Both teams were the walking wounded, with the Pelicans especially hurt by the absence of Jrue Holiday and Zion Williamson.
But hey, a win is a win. Stephen Curry set the tone with 26 points and 11 assists. D’Angelo Russell added 24 points, while Draymond Green racked up a triple-double with 16 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Golden State started the game small, starting Jordan Poole over Marquese Chriss and making Green the center. The quicker lineup paid immediate dividends, as every starter scored in double figures.
The Warriors led by as many as 29 before the Pelicans made the final score a little tighter in garbage time.
First Half
Curry had four assists in the first quarter, making sure to get his teammates involved. The sharing nature fueled the team and led to Poole scoring a quick nine points early, making all three of his three-pointers.
Omari Spellman came off of the bench with a ton of energy, throwing his big body around and making plays
The Dubs took a 27-23 lead after the first quarter, marking the first time they’ve had a lead THE ENTIRE SEASON. #babysteps
The second quarter was a track meet, with both teams getting up and down. The Warriors ran more efficiently, spacing the floor for triples and attacking the paint, forcing the Pelicans into desperation fouls. That was good enough for them to rack up 45 points in a supremely explosive quarter.
It also didn’t hurt that Curry was having a good ol’ time out there.
Curry finished the half with 17 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Poole added 11, Russell had 10, and Damion Lee had 10 off of the bench. Green added 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Warriors 72, Pelicans 54
Second Half
The Dubs kept the game well in hand, partially due to an inspired performance, and also because the Pelicans look terrible without Holiday and Williamson. But hey, the Warriors are missing Klay Thompson and their two bigs Kevon Looney and Willie Cauley-Stein; they were in no position to feel sorry for anybody.
Jaxson Hayes, my favorite player from Summer League, is going to be a force for the Pelicans in a near future if his plethora of dunks was any indication.
Moving On
Feels good to be on the board, Dub Nation! The Warriors return home on Wednesday to face a surprisingly tough Phoenix Suns team. Let’s see if they can get a win streak going.