Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
By Rohan Borges
![NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after scoring a three point basket during the fourth quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on October 30, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 30: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after scoring a three point basket during the fourth quarter of an NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on October 30, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/27c932f5407ed16af92729d7a72c9e86b4e60fc3fbb31170e7dfbf90a3dd5197.jpg)
Powered by another electrifying performance from Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors secured their third consecutive road victory in defeating the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday at Smoothie King Center.
Curry notched his second 40-point night of the year as the Warriors completely dominated the second-half, with the 130-102 victory improving them to 3-1 on the season.
The good, the bad and the ugly from the Golden State Warriors’ 130-102 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Playing without Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors depth shined as opposed to the Pelicans who were without forward Brandon Ingram. Here are some instant observations from Monday’s game:
The Good: Stephen freaking Curry
In his 15th season in the NBA, Curry is arguably better at basketball than ever before — let that sink in. Curry continued his scorching hot start to the season, tallying 42 points on 15-of-22 shooting from the field (7-of-13 from three), to go along with five assists and five rebounds in just over 30 minutes of play.
Curry did whatever he pleased against a porous Pelicans defense, and he got started early in scoring 16 of his 42 in the first quarter. He did his damage in a myriad of ways, seeking and exploiting mismatches out on the perimeter while maintaining a steady dose of drives to the rim. Curry was patient with the ball in his hands and a blur without it, repeatedly catching the Pelicans ball-watching and punishing them for it.
For all Steph has accomplished in his illustrious career, it’s easy to take his greatness for granted. What he is doing on a nightly basis, at this stage of his career, shouldn’t be understated. At 35-years-old, Curry is on pace for a career year, averaging 33.5 points per game on 55.8% shooting from the floor and 47.1% shooting from behind the arc. Sure, it’s a small sample size and regression to the mean should be expected — but this is far from normal nonetheless.