In a disheartening conclusion to their homestand, the Warriors’ Homestand Ends, suffered a resounding defeat at Chase Center, succumbing to the New Orleans Pelicans with a scoreline of 141-105 on Wednesday night. The game mirrored the disappointing performance witnessed against the Toronto Raptors just days earlier.
Continuing a troubling trend, the Warriors allowed the Pelicans to amass 73 points in the first half, prompting a chorus of boos from the home crowd. Coach Steve Kerr’s hoped-for pivotal stretch turned into a 2-5 record for the homestand, with four losses by a margin of 10 or more points.
Stephen Curry, seeking his steady jumper, struggled with a 4-of-13 shooting performance, contributing 15 points and six assists. Klay Thompson faced the challenge of containing the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, scoring 13 points while Williamson notched up 19 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
Despite the lopsided loss, there were positive performances from Moses Moody, who came off the bench to score a team-high 21 points, and rookie center Trayce Jackson-Davis, who added 19 points and five rebounds.
Warriors’ Homestand Ends, As the Warriors (17-20) embark on a crucial road trip to Chicago, Milwaukee, Memphis, and Utah, attempting to reverse their fortunes, here are the key takeaways from Wednesday’s game:
- Slow Starts Persist: The Warriors struggled once again with slow starts, turning the ball over on their first two possessions and accumulating seven turnovers in the first quarter. The Pelicans capitalized on the early mistakes, leading by 46-27 after one quarter and exposing defensive lapses that allowed them to score 73 points in the first half.
- Replacing Chris Paul Poses Challenges: The absence of Chris Paul, due to a fractured left hand, created a void in the Warriors’ rotations. Coach Kerr experimented with rookie Brandin Podziemski and veteran Cory Joseph to fill the gap, but the results were mixed. Podziemski had a tough night, finishing with two points, two assists, and nine rebounds, while Joseph’s contributions were limited, with two points and two assists in 17 minutes.
- Moses Moody Shines Amidst Chaos: Moses Moody, often overshadowed in recent weeks, emerged as a standout player off the bench. Replacing Podziemski in the starting lineup for the second half, Moody scored 21 points for the second consecutive game, showcasing his potential as a consistent second scorer to complement Stephen Curry. While Moody’s performance was commendable, there is concern about a late-game exit due to a left calf injury.
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