In a thrilling NBA showdown on Tuesday night, the Golden State Warriors defied the odds to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 124-106, even while missing key players Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and De’Anthony Melton, all sidelined due to injuries from a previous game against the Los Angeles Clippers. With Buddy Hield leading the charge, the Warriors fought back from an early 20-point deficit to claim an emphatic victory in front of their home crowd at the Chase Center in San Francisco.
Buddy Hield’s Standout Night in the Starting Lineup
With the team missing core players, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made tactical adjustments, promoting Buddy Hield to the starting lineup. Hield responded with a team-high 28 points, showcasing his shooting prowess by sinking seven of his eleven attempts from beyond the arc. His dynamic play energized the Warriors, who relied on every ounce of his scoring to keep them in contention after a tough opening quarter.
Buddy Hield TAKEOVER.
28 PTS
19 in the 4Q (25 in the 2H)
7 3PM@warriors come back from 20-down to win by 18 and start the season 3-1! pic.twitter.com/MbBXUe31mW— NBA (@NBA) October 30, 2024
Hield’s performance set the tone for a well-balanced team effort that saw multiple players contribute significantly. Brandin Podziemski added 19 points, while Moses Moody scored 17, with the duo’s contributions proving essential as the Warriors mounted their comeback. Lindy Waters III made a noteworthy impact off the bench, scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Additionally, Jonathan Kuminga’s shift to a bench role provided much-needed offensive depth, as he added 17 points to bolster the Warriors’ second unit.
Pelicans’ Strong Start Led by Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram
The Pelicans initially looked like the stronger side, building a 17-point lead by the end of the first quarter and extending it to 20 early in the second. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram were pivotal in New Orleans’ hot start. Williamson, who finished with a game-high 31 points, demonstrated his scoring ability in the paint, while Ingram added 30 points on an efficient 12-of-17 shooting.
Despite this early dominance, the Pelicans began to falter as the Warriors found their rhythm. New Orleans shot an impressive 54.1 percent from the field for the game, but it was Golden State’s three-point shooting that ultimately proved decisive. The Warriors managed to outscore the Pelicans 63-27 from beyond the arc, using this advantage to shift momentum in their favor.
Golden State’s Second-Quarter Comeback
The Warriors’ comeback started with a shift in focus on both ends of the floor. Golden State’s three-point shooting began to click, and their defensive intensity increased as they chipped away at the Pelicans’ lead. By halftime, the Warriors had narrowed the deficit to just four points at 51-47, signaling that they were ready to push back against a Pelicans team that had come into the game riding high on momentum.
Hield’s scoring was pivotal during this phase, as he drained several timely three-pointers. Meanwhile, Podziemski and Moody made key plays that allowed the Warriors to cut the lead to manageable proportions. By the third quarter, the Warriors had flipped the game on its head with a 21-12 scoring run, capped by a pair of clutch Hield three-pointers that turned a one-point deficit into an eight-point lead at 87-79.
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Outlasting the Pelicans: Warriors’ Fourth Quarter Dominance
As the game progressed, the Warriors continued to outpace the Pelicans, who were on their third road game in five days. Golden State’s energy and effective ball movement kept them ahead, and New Orleans couldn’t close the gap to single digits in the final quarter. Hield’s consistency from three-point range, along with Waters III’s support off the bench, ensured that the Warriors maintained control.
Golden State’s ability to rally without their primary stars underscored the team’s depth and resilience. Draymond Green, often known for his defensive prowess, stepped up with a game-high seven assists and played a vital role in organizing the offense. Green also anchored Golden State’s defensive efforts, contributing to the team’s nine blocks, which stymied the Pelicans’ attempts to get easy baskets in the paint.
Key Statistical Highlights
Golden State’s superior three-point shooting was a significant factor, with the Warriors making 11 of 36 attempts (30.6 percent) compared to the Pelicans’ 41.9 percent shooting from behind the arc. Hield and Moody’s shooting efficiency was particularly instrumental, as both players converted most of their attempts, giving the Warriors a substantial edge in scoring from long range.
Additionally, Waters III’s near-career-high performance off the bench provided a crucial spark, his 21 points and eight rebounds helping to steady the Warriors’ second unit. Williamson’s and Ingram’s combined 61 points for the Pelicans were impressive, yet not enough to overcome Golden State’s balanced scoring and relentless defensive pressure.
Looking Ahead: Warriors’ Momentum and Pelicans’ Recovery
With this hard-fought victory, the Warriors improved their season record to 3-1 and demonstrated they could be a formidable force even without key players. The Warriors’ resilience could serve them well as they continue a challenging schedule, with Curry, Wiggins, and Melton expected to rejoin the lineup soon. This win also highlighted Golden State’s depth, with players like Hield, Waters, and Moody stepping up to fill the gaps and delivering under pressure.
For the Pelicans, the loss highlighted the difficulty of managing a condensed schedule, particularly during an early season road trip. Despite the strong performances from Williamson and Ingram, New Orleans will look to tighten their defensive rotations and find ways to counter three-point-heavy teams like Golden State. The Pelicans remain a talented squad, and with adjustments, they could bounce back quickly in their upcoming games.
