On Tuesday night, the Golden State Warriors took control of the second half of their home game against the New Orleans Pelicans, earning a resounding 120-109 victory. Despite being down by a staggering 20 points in the first half, the Warriors launched an impressive comeback in the second half to ascend from seventh to sixth place in the Western Conference rankings. Stephen Curry delivered a stellar performance, leading the team with an impressive 39 points, while Jordan Poole came off the bench to contribute an additional 21 points.
Warriors dominate second half
After an unimpressive first half, the Warriors came out with guns blazing in the second half, dropping 39 points in the third quarter alone. They applied pressure on defense, forcing six turnovers, and went toe-to-toe with the larger Pelicans on both ends of the court, significantly boosting their first-half second-chance points total. The team shot a respectable 48% from the field, with a sharp 44.4% from beyond the arc.
The second quarter saw Draymond Green in the thick of several intense moments, including a forceful bump on Brandon Ingram, which upon review was upgraded to a flagrant-1 foul. Green didn’t back down and engaged in a verbal exchange with Ingram, resulting in two technical fouls. Coach Steve Kerr had to make a quick decision to substitute Green to prevent any further emotional outbursts, but the Warriors’ intensity persisted into the second half.
Stephen Curry was once again the standout performer for the Warriors, scoring a game-high 39 points on an efficient 14-of-26 shooting from the field. He also contributed four rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 34 minutes of action. Curry’s scoring prowess was on full display in the third quarter, where he scored 13 points and knocked down three triples to help the Warriors pull away from the Pelicans. With this performance, Curry solidified his position as one of the leading contenders for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award this season.
In an unexpected move, 6-foot-7 Jonathan Kuminga was inserted into the starting lineup to guard 6-foot-8 Ingram. Kuminga, on the other hand, picked up two quick fouls and was replaced by Kevon Looney. Despite this, Kuminga came out of halftime with 13 points and four rebounds.
This was the Warriors’ 12th home victory this season in which they overcame a double-digit deficit. The team’s tenacity has been a hallmark of their success this season, and they will need to keep fighting as they approach the playoffs.
Next steps for the Warriors
The Warriors’ win moves them up in the Western Conference standings, but they will need to keep playing at a high level to make the playoffs. Their next game is against the Phoenix Suns, who currently lead the Western Conference. To win, the Warriors will need to bring their “A” game.
