AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
The Golden State Warriors have won seven of eight to start the season after beating the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 126-85 in San Francisco’s Chase Center on Friday.
The Warriors endured a sluggish first half that saw them score just 16 second-quarter points and allow Pels center Jonas Valanciunas to post 13 points and nine rebounds before halftime.
However, Golden State still led 54-50 at halftime and took complete control in the third quarter, outscoring 34-16 for an 88-66 edge heading into the final 12 minutes. They ended up outscoring the Pels 72-35 in the last two quarters.
Jordan Poole led all Warriors with 26 points, Curry added 19 and Andre Iguodala dished 10 assists.
Valanciunas finished with a 20-point, 15-rebound double-double. Golden State’s bench outscored New Orleans’ second unit 57-30.
The Pelicans continued to play without Zion Williamson (fractured right foot) and Brandon Ingram (right hip).
The Warriors are now tied with the Utah Jazz atop the Western Conference at 7-1. The 1-9 Pelicans are last in the West.
Notable Performances
Pelicans C Jonas Valanciunas: 20 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists
Pelicans G Devonte’ Graham: 12 points
Pelicans SF Josh Hart: 10 points, 9 rebounds
Warriors G Jordan Poole: 26 points
Warriors G Stephen Curry: 19 points, 6 assists, 2 blocks
Warriors F Draymond Green: 8 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Warriors F Andre Iguodala: 2 points, 10 assists, 2 steals
Warriors’ Dominant 3rd Quarter Puts Pels Away
Golden State shot 10-of-31 from three-point range in the first half, with just two second-quarter makes. Meanwhile, the Warriors had no answer for Valanciunas, whose post dominance nearly single-handedly kept New Orleans in the game.
Still, the Warriors led by a pair of buckets going into the third quarter, and that’s when Golden State took over.
The Warriors were excellent in transition, with Curry finding Poole for two thanks to this cross-court laser:
Curry also did work on the other end to hold the Pels to 16 third-quarter points:
The quarter also featured a 10-0 run keyed by Gary Payton II, who had five points and an assist during that span. The scoring stretch included this three-point play after a Draymond Green assist in transition:
Payton’s spark helped turn a 66-58 edge into a 76-58 lead. The other bucket in that stretch was a Wiggins layup, which was created by another pinpoint dish from Green:
Payton created yet another highlight off another fantastic pass as he slammed the ball home after an Iguodala lob in the quarter’s final minute:
Iguodala’s excellent distribution set the stage for this blowout. He found Nemanja Bjelica with a behind-the-back bounce pass for two on the Warriors’ previous bucket.
Golden State kept its foot on the gas in the fourth quarter as Curry and Green were able to rest for the final 12 minutes.
The benches cleared early en route to a monster Warriors win, which was a staple during Golden State’s dynasty and appears to be once again as the 2021-22 Dubs continue crushing the league.
What’s Next?
New Orleans will visit the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET at the American Airlines Center.
Golden State will host the Houston Rockets on Sunday at 8:30 p.m.
This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
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