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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) /
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CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots over Trayce Jackson-Davis of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth-quarter on Monday. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots over Trayce Jackson-Davis of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth-quarter on Monday. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

The Good: Warriors youngsters stay ready

Both Klay Thompson and Jonathan Kuminga were ruled out before tipoff, forcing Steve Kerr to tinker with his rotations. Moses Moody took Thompson’s place in the starting five, while rookies Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandon Podziemski saw extended minutes for the first time this season.

Moody gave the Warriors some solid minutes and was a +18 on the night, adding 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. He was a nuisance defensively, and his timely rebounds halted any late-game momentum possibly building for the Pelicans.

Brandon Podziemski was trusted to run the offense in spurts, and the first-round pick looked pretty good doing so, racking up five points, two assists, and eight rebounds in just under 23 minutes of play. Podziemski’s nose for the ball caught the Warriors’ attention during the pre-draft process, and he was everywhere tonight. The 6’4 combo guard flashed some solid on-ball instincts and came up with some big defensive rebounds to close out possessions down the stretch.

Zion Williamson was never able to get going in this one, limited to just 19 points and turning the ball over five times. A big reason for that was the play of Trayce Jackson-Davis, who continues to look like a steal of the 2023 NBA draft. In 19 minutes of action, Jackson-Davis nearly posted a double-double, recording 13 points and nine rebounds including seven on the offensive glass. ‘TJD’ looked like a mini Kevon Looney out there, defending without fouling and causing all sorts of havoc in the rebounding department. Golden State out-rebounded the Pelicans 64-39, with Jackson-Davis, Looney and Dario Saric simply outworking the Pelicans’ bigs all night long.

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