The Golden State Warriors clinched their second successive win against the New Orleans Pelicans, dominating the game with a score of 104-89. Despite the absence of their sharpshooter Stephen Curry, who's sidelined due to a left ankle injury and is slated for re-evaluation on Friday, the Warriors showcased their depth. The team's dedication to a 12-man rotation proved decisive, with Trayce Jackson-Davis putting up 15 points and nabbing nine rebounds, while Draymond Green added to the tally with 14 points and six assists. According to KSL.com, Jackson-Davis has impressively shot 22 for 27 over the first five games – that's a scorching 77.7%.
Buddy Hield also stepped up by scoring 21 points. Meanwhile, Green's brilliance as a facilitator and defender once again proved integral to the Warriors' success. As reported by WGNO, this victory further cements the team's status as one of the top contenders in the league. The Pelicans, on the other hand, couldn't hide their struggle without CJ McCollum and Herb Jones, both out due to injuries, with McCollum pending imaging on his sore right adductor muscle and Jones also awaiting imaging test results.
The Pelicans fell behind early, managing a mere 3 for 11 in the opening minutes of the game. Conversely, following a slower start in their previous matchup, Golden State came out of the gates quickly this time, hitting 12 of 23 shots to establish a first-quarter lead of 28-20. Jordan Hawkins, despite earlier back spasms, put in a strong performance for New Orleans with 23 points. CBS News San Francisco noted the contrast in Pelicans' star Zion Williamson's performance, who, after a season-high 31 points the night before, was limited to just 12 points on 5-for-20 shooting.
The Golden State Warriors showcased their roster depth with second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, who had a strong game with 13 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. His performance helped boost the team’s offense while Curry was out. The Warriors are about to start a five-game road trip, starting with the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will host the Indiana Pacers as they begin a four-game homestand. Warriors fans can also anticipate Klay Thompson's return on November 12 against the Mavericks.
