Pelicans Vs Warriors: Williamson’s 26 Lifts New Orleans to 113-109
New Orleans beat Golden State 113-109 on Tuesday night in a game that featured Zion Williamson’s 26 points and Dejounte Murray’s first game in nearly 13 months; the pelicans vs warriors matchup mattered for both clubs’ short-term momentum. The Pelicans won their second straight and their fourth victory in six games in New Orleans.
Pelicans finish strong — Williamson, Bey and Poole key late
Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 26 points and sparked the closing stretch, scoring 10 of his points during the fourth quarter. Saddiq Bey added 18 points, including a reverse layup spun off the glass while being fouled that gave the Pelicans a 107-101 lead with 1: 47 left. Former Warriors guard Jordan Poole contributed 12 points as New Orleans closed out the 113-109 victory.
Williamson’s night also included his first 3 of the season. He had attempted just three previously this season and made his only attempt from deep against the Warriors.
Warriors crippled by absences, shooting and interior dominance
Golden State played without Stephen Curry (right knee), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Al Horford (left toe); Curry, who has missed eight straight games, did not make the trip to New Orleans, coach Steve Kerr said. Only nine Warriors saw action, and the team has lost three of four while missing several key players.
De’Anthony Melton scored a season-high 28 points but missed a free throw with 1: 23 left and his team trailing by four. Moses Moody added 24 points, Brandin Podzienski scored 16 and Gui Santos had 15. The Warriors made just 24. 4% of their 3s (11 of 45), but they outrebounded New Orleans 59-53, scored 58 points in the paint and produced 24 second-chance points.
Dejounte Murray returns from ruptured Achilles, impact in limited minutes
Dejounte Murray had 13 points in his first game in nearly 13 months after returning from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, an injury that occurred against Boston on Jan. 31, 2025. Murray played about 25 minutes, hit a driving layup with 1: 04 left to make it 109-104, and finished with three assists, two rebounds and a steal, but he also committed five turnovers.
Venue, officiating note, image details and schedules
The game was played in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center. An on-court sequence in the second half showed Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey looking at official Justin Vaan Duyne’s offensive foul call; that call was overruled after further review and Williamson went to the foul line. A related image carries the filename NO. pelicanswarriers. 022525. 3577. jpg and a photo caption is dated Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, while the game recap is dated 25 Feb, 2026.
Looking ahead, the Warriors visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night and the Pelicans visit the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
Game context and short-term implications
The Pelicans’ victory is their second straight and pushes them to four wins in six games, while the Warriors’ struggles with injuries and a poor 3-point shooting night contributed to their 113-109 defeat. In the pelicans vs warriors meeting, New Orleans combined late execution from Williamson, Bey and Poole with key interior defense to hold off Golden State’s De’Anthony Melton and Moses Moody.
