Warriors 130-102 Pelicans (31 Oct, 2023) Game Recap،
NEW ORLEANS — After Stephen Curry let it fly from 31 feet for his seventh 3-pointer of the night, he crouched at midcourt and punctuated his final memorable performance by slapping his chest once with both fists.
Curry scored 42 points in 30 minutes and the Golden State Warriors improved to 3-0 on the road with a 130-102 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
And it seemed like many New Orleans fans who had waited more than two years for Curry to play in their city again were getting their money’s worth, even if it came at the expense of their own team. They let out collective, amazed “oooohs” after some of Curry’s deep 3s and some even clapped.
“When the game goes like that and the home crowd appreciates the entertainment value, good basketball and spectacle, I feed off that because I love playing basketball and being in that environment,” Curry said. “But it’s not like any kind of message. I’m just hooping.
Chris Paul scored 13 points off the bench, leading Golden State on a 13-1 run late in the third quarter that gave the Warriors a 98-78 lead.
“It’s amazing to bring Chris Paul off the bench as a backup point guard,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He still plays at an incredibly high level. It changes everything when you can start a game with Steph Curry and then bring Chris in with a great second unit in the game.”
Zion Williamson helped New Orleans stay close in the first half, but struggled in the third quarter. He finished with 19 points as the Pelicans lost for the first time this season after starting with two wins.
A combination of injuries and load management had kept Curry out of games in New Orleans in recent seasons, as they were often scheduled as second games of a back-to-back.
This latest trip to New Orleans was also the second of back-to-back games after Curry scored 24 to lead the Warriors past Houston.
But the Pelicans were the team chasing from behind.
“They played more physical than us, they played faster than us,” Williamson said. “They have a championship culture and for them to do this in the second straight, that’s respect.”
When Curry was introduced as the starter, he received a loud and enthusiastic ovation. He then opened the game with 11 points in the first 4:02, including a pair of 3s from 25 feet.
“Hey, you wanted to see it, New Orleans,” Pelicans radio announcer Todd Graffagnini exclaimed as one of the first long 3s fell. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Curry shot 15 of 22 overall and 5 of 7 on free throws. His 3 included a 29-footer and a couple 25-footers. Fans also responded with appreciation to his off-balance rainbow from the baseline near the left corner.
“It’s white hot. It’s amazing to watch him,” Kerr said. “I mean, he looks better than ever at 35.”
CJ McCollum scored 19 points for New Orleans and Jordan Hawkins, a first-round draft pick from Connecticut, scored 12 points.
Each team eliminated one of its top scorers. Golden State guard Klay Thompson and Pelicans wing Brandon Ingram were ruled out before the game because of right knee soreness. Warriors forward Janthan Kuminga (left knee) also did not play.
Paul, a first-round draft pick by New Orleans in 2005 who came off the bench Sunday for the first time in his career after 1,365 starts, played a reserve role for a second straight night, although Thompson was been scratched. Instead, Kerr gave Moses Moody his 15th career start and he scored 13 points.
FOLLOWING
Warriors: Host Sacramento on Wednesday before returning to the road for four straight games.
Pelicans: Visit Oklahoma City on Wednesday in the first of two consecutive games, the second being at home against Detroit.
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