The Golden State Warriors dismantled the New Orleans Pelicans 138-87 on Monday night, securing their eighth consecutive victory.
The 51-point margin stands as the largest victory by any NBA team this season, moving the Warriors to 8-3 and marking the largest loss in the history of the New Orleans franchise. It was the fourth-largest win in Warriors history and their largest home victory since Nov. 2, 1991, when they defeated the Kings by 62 points.
Following a sluggish 0-3 start to the campaign, the Warriors have engineered the second-longest winning streak after such a start in NBA history. The dominance was total from the opening tip, as Golden State exploited a short-handed Pelicans squad—missing Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III—to establish a 72-43 halftime lead. New Orleans entered the contest coming off a four-game winning streak but has now dropped three straight.
Lendeborg Emerges as a High-Value Rotation Piece
- Yaxel Lendeborg is emerging as a high-value rotation piece, as his performance in the first half, where he shot 4-for-4 from three, helped the Warriors secure a decisive win.
Warriors Offense Thrives Through Ball Movement and Assists
The Warriors’ offensive philosophy has centered on ball movement, recording 37 assists against New Orleans. This marked the third straight game with 30-plus assists, a threshold that has proven to be a reliable indicator of success; the team is now 6-0 when reaching that mark this season. The tactical fluidity allowed for balanced scoring, with three Warriors—Curry, Brandin Podziemski, and Yaxel Lendeborg—each eclipsing the 20-point barrier.
Trey Murphy (bilateral patellar tendinopathy) and Trendon Watford (right ankle sprain) are OUT for tonight vs. Golden State.#Pelicans | @MorrisBartLLC https://t.co/pxiD1kxSO6
Curry, who moved into 16th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 26,803 points, finished with 25 points in under 21 minutes of floor time. The efficiency of the rotation was tested early, however, as backup guard Brandon Williams exited with a hamstring injury, forcing two-way guard LJ Cryer into extended minutes.
While 12 of the 13 Warriors who appeared in the game made at least one basket, the team remains thin; Will Richard may soon require surgery on his torn UCL in his left thumb, and Gary Payton II remains sidelined with knee inflammation.
The Coaching Carousel: Jimmy Butler’s Sideline Stunt
The game featured an unconventional moment involving injured forward Jimmy Butler, who dressed in full coaching attire and carried a clipboard labeled “PASS TO STEPH.” While the gesture provided levity, head coach Steve Kerr noted the sincerity in Butler’s engagement with the team’s defensive metrics.
“He said all the right things, you know, team fouls, how many team fouls we had, like he was really acting the part,” Kerr remarked. Kerr noted he had joked with assistant Khalid Robinson about Butler’s fashionable wardrobe before the game, only for Butler to arrive in a matching quarter-zip and sweater, leading Kerr to remark, “It was, I guess, mental telepathy or something.”
PODZ, STEPH, AND YAXEL LEAD THE WARRIORS TO THEIR 8th STRAIGHT WIN 🔥 Podz: 25 PTS, 5 3PM Steph: 25 PTS, 5 REB, 4 3PM Yaxel: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 4 3PM It's Golden State's first 8-game winning streak since the 2021-22 season! pic.twitter.com/W7dFW1qwRt
Yaxel Lendeborg, who recorded 23 points and seven rebounds, noted that teammate Jimmy Butler, who dressed as a coach during the game, gave the team simple advice to pass the ball to Stephen Curry. “I didn’t learn anything. All I learned was once you’re on the court with Stephen Curry, give Stephen Curry the ball,” Lendeborg said.
| Metric | Golden State Warriors | New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 138 | 87 |
| Field Goal % | highly efficient | low |
| Total Assists | 37 | 16 |
| Leading Scorer | Curry/Podziemski (25) | Derik Queen (16) |
Looking Toward the Road Schedule
The victory ends a five-game homestand, but the team will face harder opponents next. The Warriors have climbed the Western Conference standings after an 0-3 start, yet their resilience will be tested during their upcoming road trip. The transition from home-court dominance to hostile environments begins Wednesday against the Houston Rockets, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
With multiple players sidelined, the reliance on depth players like Charles Bassey—who recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds—and De’Anthony Melton will be essential to maintaining the current win streak.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
STEPH WATCHES IT FALL FROM DEEP 🎯 25 PTS 4 3PM Golden State leads heading into Q4 as they push for their 8th straight win! pic.twitter.com/Esv9AfNF1p
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