Zion Williamson’s 26 and Dejounte Murray’s return shift momentum — Warriors Vs Pelicans recap

The immediate impact of Dejounte Murray’s return was felt by New Orleans’ rotation and the game’s closing minutes: in the Warriors Vs Pelicans matchup on Feb. 24, 2026, Murray’s presence complemented Zion Williamson’s 26 points and helped the Pelicans hold a late edge. This matters now because Murray’s first game in more than a year changes New Orleans’ short-term lineup picture as the team heads into a six-game road trip.

Warriors Vs Pelicans: who felt the shift and where it landed

Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points in the 113-109 final at the Smoothie King Center. Murray, returning from the ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered on Jan. 31, 2025, played 24 minutes and finished with 13 points, three assists, two rebounds, one steal and four turnovers. The result nudges New Orleans (17-42) forward as it prepares to open a two-game set in Utah during the six-game trip.

Game details and sequence highlights

Golden State took its first lead midway through the third quarter after a 20-11 run that ended with Moses Moody’s two free throws to make it 59-57; Williamson answered with a drive to tie the score. The Warriors then scored four straight before Derik Queen hit three consecutive field goals for New Orleans, helping the Pelicans take a 77-72 edge into the fourth.

The teams were even at 82-82 before Williamson scored eight points and Saddiq Bey added five to open a 99-89 gap. Golden State closed to within three late, but Bey completed a three-point play with 1: 47 left and Murray added a layup with 1: 04 remaining to secure the margin. On the Pelicans’ first possession of Murray’s return, center DeAndre Jordan fed Murray for a layup; Murray went on to score four points in slightly more than five minutes during the period.

Scoring snapshot and roster context

• Final score: Pelicans 113, Warriors 109 (Feb. 24, 2026).
• New Orleans: Zion Williamson 26; Saddiq Bey 18; Jordan Poole 12; Karlo Matkovic 10; Dejounte Murray 13 (24 minutes).
• Golden State: De’Anthony Melton 28 (season-high and a poster dunk in the losing effort); Moses Moody 24; Brandin Podziemski 16 points and 16 rebounds; Gui Santos 15 points and 11 rebounds.
• Records: Pelicans 17-42; Warriors 30-28.
• Availability notes: Golden State played without its top three scorers — Steph Curry (knee), Jimmy Butler (season-ending knee injury last month), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness).

Turning points, stretches and the halftime swing

New Orleans led by 14 twice early before Golden State trimmed that margin to 31-19 at the end of the first quarter on a Brandin Podziemski layup. The Pelicans rebuilt leads of 14 on three occasions early in the second quarter, then went cold: they made just two field goals in the final seven minutes of the half, one of them Williamson’s first 3-pointer since Feb. 12, 2025. Golden State closed the quarter with the last five points to cut the half deficit to 46-39.

Quick check-in: short Q&A on implications

• Q: Does Murray’s return change rotation usage immediately?
  A: Murray played 24 minutes and had visible involvement in late-game possessions; his minutes and role are likely to influence New Orleans’ guard rotation on the upcoming road trip.
• Q: How did Golden State compensate without its top scorers?
  A: Golden State got big nights from De’Anthony Melton and Moses Moody, plus an all-around performance from Brandin Podziemski (16 and 16), but those efforts fell short in the fourth.
• Q: What stands out about Williamson’s contribution?
  A: Williamson’s 26 points and a long-range make (his first 3-pointer since Feb. 12, 2025) were key in swinging momentum when Golden State threatened a comeback.

What’s easy to miss is how the timing of the cold stretch late in the second quarter and Williamson’s long-range recovery each steered the scoreboard closer to New Orleans’ favor; those moments mattered as much as the final possessions. The real question now is how the Pelicans leverage Murray’s return across the two games in Utah to start a demanding road swing.

Micro timeline: Jan. 31, 2025 — Dejounte Murray suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon; Feb. 12, 2025 — Williamson’s previous 3-pointer (first since that date recorded here is his next long-range make in this game); Feb. 24, 2026 — Pelicans beat Warriors 113-109 in New Orleans.

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