Warriors instant analysis: Meltons big game, dunk not enough to rally past Pelicans

Published: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 3:35 am

Warriors Fall to Pelicans in Low-Scoring Affair

The Golden State Warriors suffered a 113-109 defeat against the New Orleans Pelicans in a game marked by poor shooting and a lack of offensive firepower. The Warriors struggled from the field, shooting only 40% overall and a dismal 23% from beyond the arc. The Pelicans, while not much better, managed a 43% field goal percentage, enough to secure the victory.

DeAnthony Melton had a standout performance for the Warriors, scoring a season-high 28 points, including a highlight-reel dunk. Moses Moody contributed 24 points, and Brandin Podziemski added 16 points and 16 rebounds off the bench. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points.

The Warriors were without key players Steph Curry and Kristaps Porzingis, which was evident in their offensive struggles, particularly in the first half. Despite a late rally that saw them close the gap to one point, the Warriors couldn't overcome the Pelicans' lead.

Draymond Green returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous game. Green's defensive presence was notable, but his offensive performance was inconsistent. Former Warriors players Kevon Looney and Jordan Poole faced their former team, with Poole scoring 12 points off the bench.

In other news, Jonathan Kuminga, recently traded to the Atlanta Hawks, made his debut, scoring 27 points in an impressive performance.

BNN's Perspective: The Warriors' loss highlights the importance of having their star players healthy and the impact of consistent shooting. While individual performances were strong, the team's overall offensive struggles proved costly. The team will need to regroup and improve their shooting efficiency to be competitive in their upcoming games.

Keywords: Warriors, Pelicans, DeAnthony Melton, Zion Williamson, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, NBA, Basketball, Score, Game, Loss, Shooting, Points, Rebounds, Assists, Dunk, Injury, Trade, Performance, Offense, Defense.

Full Story