New Orleans Pelicans stunned the Golden State Warriors 113–109, leaning on Zion Williamson’s power and a timely boost from Dejounte Murray to close out a tight game at home. At Sportsphere24, this matchup reads as a statement win for a rebuilding Pelicans squad against a shorthanded Warriors team still searching for consistency.
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| New Orleans Pelicans stunned the Golden State Warriors 113–109 |
Zion sets the tone inside
Zion Williamson imposed his will from the opening tip, finishing with 26 points on 11‑of‑21 shooting as Golden State struggled to absorb his physical drives and finishes around the rim. He repeatedly attacked gaps in the Warriors’ defense, converting through contact and forcing rotations that opened kick‑out opportunities. Whenever the Pelicans needed a big basket, they went back to Zion isolations and quick post‑ups, and he delivered often enough to keep New Orleans in control of the tempo.
Saddiq Bey provided crucial support on the wing, adding 18 points and knocking down big shots in the second half. His most important moment came late in the fourth quarter, when he spun in a tough reverse layup through a foul to push the Pelicans ahead 107–101 with under two minutes remaining. That play captured New Orleans’ aggression down the stretch and put real scoreboard pressure on Golden State, who were already battling turnovers and missed opportunities.
Murray returns and Warriors stumble
This game also marked the long‑awaited return of Dejounte Murray, who chipped in 13 points in his first action in nearly 13 months, adding defense, length, and secondary playmaking. His presence in the backcourt helped New Orleans better contain Golden State’s guards and secure key rebounds. Off the bench, former Warriors guard Jordan Poole added 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, clearly energized in his first meeting against his old team.
Golden State, meanwhile, hurt itself with 20 turnovers, which the Pelicans converted into 18 points—one of the clearest statistical differences in a four‑point game. Despite stretches of good shot‑making, especially when they pushed the pace, the Warriors’ sloppy ball security left them chasing the game for long portions of the second half. Fans can explore the full breakdown of turnovers, shooting splits, and on/off numbers via the detailed box scores and advanced stats pages on ESPN and RealGM.
Pelicans close it out late
Down the stretch, New Orleans executed better on both ends, stringing together stops and getting to their preferred actions while Golden State scrambled. The Pelicans’ half‑court defense forced the Warriors into contested jumpers and late‑clock possessions, while their own offense stayed aggressive attacking the paint. Even as Golden State made a late push, New Orleans hit enough free throws and controlled the glass to seal the 113–109 victory in front of a loud home crowd.
The win lifted the Pelicans to 17–42, a modest record but an encouraging sign of growth and resilience, while the loss underscored Golden State’s thin margin for error when short‑handed and turnover‑prone. For Sportsphere24 readers tracking the Western Conference landscape, this result shows that even lottery‑bound teams like New Orleans can punch above their record when Zion is healthy and fully locked in. Full highlights and additional analysis are available via Pelicans‑Warriors recap pages on major outlets such as ESPN and Yahoo Sports.
