Pelicans Lose to Warriors on NBA Opening Night
Stephen Curry’s 40-point performance was too much as the The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors 111-95 in opening night for the 2015-16 NBA season.
Fans packed Oracle Arena with excitement as the the Warriors and now Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry received their championship rings before the game.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also received his ring but did not coach the game due to a recent back surgery. Warriors assistant head coach Luke Walton led the Warriors in place of Kerr.
With the loss, the Pelicans (0-1) are now 0-8 in Oracle Arena, including the regular season and playoff games between the two teams.
Draymond Green scored the first points of the game, hitting a three-pointer to give the Warriors a 3-0 lead. Then, Anthony Davis responded with basket in the post, cutting the lead to 3-2.
Then, both teams traded baskets before reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry went off, scoring 24 points in the first quarter.
October 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the basketball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33, right) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 111-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Ish Smith scored 11 points off the bench in his debut with the Pelicans and Kendrick Perkins provided an unexpected offensive spark in paint, scoring eight points in the first quarter. The Pelicans ended the 1st quarter on a 10-2 run.
More from Big Easy Believer
- New Orleans Saints: Three biggest questions heading into the offseason
- New Orleans Saints: Three positives to take from playoff loss
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Sacramento Kings
- New Orleans Saints: Bold predictions for Wild Card Round vs. Vikings
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide in Los Angeles Lakers rematch
In the second, the Warriors turned the ball over a few times to start the quarter. Following a timeout with 6:01 remaining in the half, Pelicans trailed the Warriors 45-44. Curry scored his first points in the second quarter with 4:54 remaining.
Over the next 2:10 seconds, the Warriors went on 10-0 run to take a 55-44 lead. Dante Cunningham hit a three point shot to lead the Pelicans in a 5-4 run at the half, trailing 59-49.
At the half, the Warriors out rebounded the Pelicans 32-15. The Pelicans turned the ball over three more times than Warriors, 10-7. Anthony Davis struggled from the field in the first half, scoring only six points. Curry finished the half with 29 points.
The Warriors (1-0) started the third quarter on an 8-0 run, taking a 67-49 lead with 10:07 remaining. The Pelicans managed to cut the lead to 11 after Ryan Anderson hit a three point shot with 7:07 remaining.
From there, the Warriors dominated the remainder of the quarter, taking a 94-75 lead and outscoring the Pelicans 35-26.
October 27, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The Pelicans outscored the Warriors 20-17 but the Warriors were too much in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans shot 42 percent from the field while the Warriors shot 43 percent from the field. The Warriors out rebounded the Pelicans 56-33.
Live Feed
FanSided
With only nine active players for the game, the Pelicans were limited offensively. Omar Asik, Norris Cole, Tyreke Evans and Luke Babbitt did not play. Alex Ajinca managed to play after dealing with a right hamstring strain.
A team full of injuries, a bad shooting night for Davis and an outstanding performance from the Warriors lead by Steph Curry explains why the Pelicans lost their season opener.
Steph Curry led the Warriors in scoring with 40 points, seven assists and six rebounds. As for the Pelicans, Anthony Davis led the team with 18 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
The Pelicans return to action today on the road against the Portland Trailblazers. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. central time.