OAKLAND – Stephen Curry aside, it was pure downright tedious at times. But the Warriors found a way to prevail.
Despite blowing a 21-point second quarter lead to the scrappy Pelicans, the Warriors recovered well enough behind Curry to scratch out a 116-106 victory before a sellout crowd Monday night at Oracle Arena.
Curry poured in a game-high 46 points – including a single-game record 13 3-pointers – while Klay Thompson finished with 24 and Kevin Durant 22 as the Warriors (5-2) kept the Pelicans (0-7) winless.
Forward Draymond Green scored only 4 points, but did spectacular blue-collar work, totaling a team-high 12 rebounds and game-high 11 assists.
The Pelicans opened the second half with a 24-9 run to take a brief lead before the Warriors, behind Curry, gathered themselves down the stretch.
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STANDOUT PERFORMER
One game after he went 0-for-10 beyond the arc, Curry found his long-distance shot and was the clear star of the night.
Curry’s line: 46 points (16-of-26 from the field, 13-of-17 from deep), five assists and five rebounds. He played 36 minutes and finished plus-7 for the night.
TURNING POINT
After a Langston Galloway 3-pointer pulled New Orleans within two (88-86) with 9:41 remaining, the Warriors responded with a 12-5 run to go up 100-91 on a Shaun Livingston dunk with 4:46 left.
The Pelicans never got closer than five over the final four minutes, as the Warriors outscored New Orleans 16-11 over the final 3:43 to close it out.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: G Pat McCaw (L ankle sprain) was listed as probable and upgraded to available prior to tipoff. C Damian Jones (R pectoral surgery recovery) was listed as out.
Pelicans: G Tyreke Evans (R knee recovery), G Jrue Holiday (family leave) and F Quincy Pondexter (L knee recovery) were listed as out.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to action Wednesday night, when they play host to the Dallas Mavericks at Oracle Arena.
