The Golden State Warriors want to avoid being part of the Play-In tournament as the NBA playoffs approach, and they got a step closer to their goal Friday night.
The Bay Area team overcame an early 14-2 deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans by 16, 111-95 in New Orleans.
The Dubs snapped a two-game losing streak and secured their first win of the road trip. They have guaranteed themselves a winning record on the season and keep pace with the Los Angeles Clippers, tied for sixth place in the Western Conference.
Steph Curry comes back to lift the Warriors
All-Star guard Stephen Curry, who missed the last two games due to a pelvic contusion, started strong in his return scoring 13 of his team-high 23 points in the second quarter. Curry sank three of his five 3-pointers in the quarter – all were well-contested.
The former Davidson Wildcat didn’t have his most efficient outing – shooting 7-for-21 from the field – but added four rebounds, six assists and three steals in 34 minutes to help the Warriors win on the road and improve their record to 42-31.
At the end of the game, the cameras captured Curry doing a victory dance next to the Golden State coaching staff as he was all smiles. At the end of the game, Steph told the media that his recent injury reminded him of a hard fall he had on his tailbone in Houston back in 2021, but this one isn’t as bad which is great news for Warriors’ fans.
Moody and Kuminga contribute to Golden State’s victory
Moses Moody scored the Warriors first two baskets, including a momentum-shifting poster dunk. After an early timeout and facing a double-digit deficit, he caught the ball in the corner and rose up, looking to step into a catch-and-shoot three. Moody’s dunk began a 16-8 Warriors run that trimmed a once 14-2 deficit to four and prompted a Pelicans timeout.
Jonathan Kuminga scored in double figures for the 25th straight game, tallying 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting on Friday. He was in control on his drives, using his size and strength to overpower his defender around the basket. Kuminga has scored 15 or more in each of the last four contests.
Jimmy Butler III recorded his fourth double-double as a Warrior, scoring 18 points and grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds. Butler is the first player in franchise history to have at least 300 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in his first 20 games with the team. He is now 17-4 through 21 games with the Warriors.
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