Warriors Vs Pelicans — warriors vs pelicans: Pelicans 113-109 as Dejounte Murray returns
New Orleans beat Golden State 113-109 on Tuesday night as Dejounte Murray made his first NBA appearance in nearly 13 months, a comeback that mattered in a tight finish in New Orleans. The warriors vs pelicans matchup was decided by a string of late baskets and the Warriors’ heavy injury list.
Saddiq Bey’s reverse layup and the closing sequence
Saddiq Bey scored 18 points, including a reverse layup he spun off the glass while being fouled that put New Orleans up 107-101 with 1: 47 remaining. Dejounte Murray hit a driving layup with 1: 04 left to make it 109-104, and De’Anthony Melton missed a free throw with 1: 23 left while the Warriors trailed by four. The Pelicans held on for the 113-109 victory in New Orleans.
Dejounte Murray’s comeback, minutes and reaction
Murray returned from a ruptured right Achilles tendon that he suffered against Boston on Jan. 31, 2025. He was on the floor for about 25 minutes — his playing time was limited — and he converted a slashing layup fewer than 20 seconds into his first game in nearly 13 months. He finished with 13 points, three assists, two rebounds, a steal and five turnovers.
Pelicans coach James Borrego saved minutes for the closing stretch and said he was proud of Murray’s performance, describing a big celebration in the locker room for the guard and the journey he’d been through. When the game ended Murray’s daughter ran onto the court and hugged him; Borrego said Murray’s teammates "just shouted him out. " Murray himself said, "I’ve been through a lot. I keep my chest out, chin up, smiling. And I’m just ready to see where it goes from here. " He added, "I'm hungry. I'm starving. "
Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole and New Orleans’ recent form
Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 26 points and scored 10 of those in the fourth quarter. Williamson also hit his first 3 of the season; he had attempted just three 3s previously this season and made his only prior long-range try against Golden State. Former Warriors guard Jordan Poole added 12 points, and the Pelicans recorded their second straight win and fourth victory in six games. The Pelicans have 23 games left this season.
Golden State’s scoring, shooting and rebounding edge
De’Anthony Melton scored a season-high 28 for the Warriors and Moses Moody added 24. Brandin Podzienski scored 16 and Gui Santos had 15. Golden State made only 11 of 45 from 3-point range (24. 4%) but outrebounded New Orleans 59-53, scored 58 points in the paint and produced 24 second-chance points.
Injury report and roster availability for Golden State
The Warriors were missing multiple regulars. Steph Curry did not make the trip to New Orleans and has missed eight straight games; his condition is listed as right patellofemoral pain syndrome and he will miss what would be his eighth consecutive game — and ninth if the All-Star Game is counted. Kristaps Porziņģis was a late scratch on Sunday after waking up extremely sick and did not join the Warriors on their two-city road trip; it is unclear in the provided context whether that illness is a generic flu or related to his POTS diagnosis.
Al Horford was out with left toe injury management and, noted as a player who does not play back-to-backs, was expected to sit this game and play on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Seth Curry was listed out with left sciatic nerve irritation; he has played only two games this year and has yet to share the court with his brother. Draymond Green was listed probable with left low back injury management after being scratched minutes before Sunday’s game when his back flared up. Trey Murphy III was out with a right shoulder contusion and was set to miss his third consecutive game; the fifth-year wing is averaging a career-high 22. 1 points per game. Jimmy Butler III remains out following right ACL surgery.
Context, recent trends and the immediate schedule
The Warriors came into the game fresh off a win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday afternoon and were searching for their first back-to-back wins since a four-game streak that ended on January 19 — the same day Jimmy Butler III tore his ACL. The matchup also featured familiar faces: New Orleans employs Kevon Looney and Jordan Poole, former Warriors teammates and old friends.
Only nine Warriors saw action in the game. Golden State will visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night; the Pelicans travel to face the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. New Orleans entered the matchup with a 16-42 record in the context provided, while the immediate focus for the Pelicans includes how Murray’s return will factor into the remaining 23 games of the season.
