NEW ORLEANS -- The Warriors have long dominated in the Big Easy. Now, after losing their first two games of the season, the reigning Western Conference champs are just hoping the season doesn't slip away.
Golden State will aim for its first win of the season Monday with a thin frontcourt against the New Orleans Pelicans, who are led by a young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart.
Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4 p.m., with tip-off scheduled for 5 p.m. from Smoothie King Arena.
Entering Monday's game, the Pelicans have lost 22 of their last 24 games against the Warriors. However, Golden State no longer is the class of the NBA, giving a young New Orleans squad an opportunity to beat a longtime foe.
[RELATED: How to watch Warriors-Thunder on the MyTeams app]
PROJECTED LINEUPS
Warriors
F Glenn Robinson
F Draymond Green
G Jordan Poole
G D'Angelo Russell
G Stephen Curry
Sports
Pelicans
G Lonzo Ball
G JJ Redick
C Derrick Favors
F Brandon Ingram
G Josh Hart
INJURY REPORT
Thunder: Darius Miller (right Achilles surgery) and Zion Williamson (right knee) are out. Jrue Holiday (left knee sprain) is questionable.
Warriors: Alec Burks (right ankle sprain) is questionable. Alen Smailagic (right ankle sprain), Wille CauleyStein (left mid-foot sprain), Klay Thompson (left ACL rehabilitation) and Kevon Looney (neuropathy) are out.
ROTATION OUTLOOK
Warriors: With Looney and Cauley-Stein out of the lineup, Marquese Chriss has struggled as the starting center. Chriss is averaging 9.0 points per game on just 44.4 percent shooting from the field. With that in mind, coach Steve Kerr has decided to go with a small lineup Monday. Chriss will come off the bench and rookie Jordan Poole will make his first career start.
Meanwhile, the Warriors have struggled defensively, getting outscored 261-214 through two games and posting a defensive rating of 124.3.
D'Angelo Russell -- who was ejected in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Thunder -- has struggled, too, averaging just 13 points on 34.6 percent shooting from the field.
Through two games, Steph Curry is shooting just 39.5 percent from the field and 20.0 percent from 3-point range.
Pelicans: New Orleans' young core has been impressive despite the Pelicans' 0-3 start. In Saturday's loss to Houston, Brandon Ingram scored 35 points, adding 15 rebounds and five assists.
Meanwhile, fellow former Laker Lonzo Ball is averaging 13.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
Former 76er JJ Redick is shooting 47.4 percent from 3-point range.
OFFICIALS: Pat Fraher (No. 26), Gediminas Petraitis (No. 50), Phenizee Ransom (No. 70)
