The Golden State Warriors absolutely throttled the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, cruising to a massive 138-87 victory. This wasn’t just another win, it pushed the Warriors to an impressive 8-3 record on the season and extended their win streak to eight consecutive games. They wrapped up their five-game homestand undefeated, and honestly, it felt like they were just getting started.
Rookies Steal the Show as Curry Does Curry Things
Right from the jump, the Warriors took control. Steph Curry found open space with ease against a sluggish Pelicans defense, which was missing key players like Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III and was on the second half of a back-to-back. Golden State was up 35-20 by the end of the first quarter, and they just kept rolling, leading 72-43 at halftime. But here’s the kicker: it wasn’t just Curry doing all the heavy lifting. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg was leading the team in scoring by the half with 16 points on just six field-goal attempts, including a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. Brandin Podziemski was right there with him, putting up 15 points of his own. These young guys were lighting it up! Lendeborg finished the game with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 2 turnovers, shooting an insane 8-for-10 from the field. Podz wasn’t to be outdone, tying for a game-high 25 points. Yeah, you read that right: two rookies dropped 25 and 23 points in a dominant win. Curry himself finished with 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists on 6-for-10 shooting, all in under 21 minutes of action. He carried the offensive load in the third quarter, proving he can still go nuclear whenever he wants. De’Anthony Melton (16 points), Charles Bassey (12), and LJ Cryer (10) also hit double figures, making it clear this was a full team effort. In fact, 12 of the 13 Warriors who hit the court made at least one basket, with Bassey even delivering a highlight-reel block on Derik Queen’s two-handed dunk attempt, which Podziemski turned into a transition three on the other end.
The Injury Bug Still Bites, But The Wins Keep Coming
While the on-court performance was stellar, it wasn’t all sunshine for the Warriors. Backup guard Brandon Williams played only a couple of minutes before leaving the game with a left hamstring injury and will undergo an MRI. If he has to miss extended time, he will join an already lengthy injury list that includes Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, and Kristaps Porzingis. There’s also the concern for Will Richard, who might need surgery for a torn UCL in his left thumb. Gary Payton II was also out for Monday night’s game with knee inflammation, though that is not expected to be a prolonged absence. Two-way guard LJ Cryer got significant minutes in Williams’ absence and showed what he can do. Even with these injury concerns looming, the team is finding ways to win, and win big.
The Warriors are sitting pretty at 8-3, riding an eight-game win streak, and just wrapped up a perfect homestand. The combination of efficient veteran play, incredibly exciting rookie performances, and a deep roster finding ways to contribute, even amidst significant injuries, has this team looking like a force.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Golden State of Mind.
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