The New Orleans Pelicans gave their home crowd at Smoothie King Center something to cheer about on Tuesday night, holding off the injury-depleted Golden State Warriors 113-109 in a game that featured a 12-point first-quarter lead, two second-half comebacks, and a meaningful milestone. Zion Williamson led all scorers with 26 points, while Dejounte Murray stepped back onto an NBA court for the first time in nearly 13 months, providing a boost — in points, energy, and optimism — that the Pelicans clearly needed. The 16,481 fans in attendance witnessed a genuinely hard-fought game that came down to the fourth quarter before New Orleans could exhale.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Pelicans Set the Tone Early (NO 31, GS 19)
New Orleans came out sharp from the opening tip, building a 31-19 advantage by the end of the first quarter. The Pelicans’ offense clicked early, getting consistent interior production and pushing the pace in transition. The Warriors, missing key contributors due to injury, struggled to generate defensive stops and looked flat offensively. A 12-point cushion after one was a promising start for the hosts.
Second Quarter: Golden State Finds Its Footing (GS 20, NO 15)
The Warriors regrouped in the second frame, outscoring New Orleans 20-15 to trim the deficit heading into halftime. Golden State tightened its defense and began finding some rhythm on offense, clawing back into a game that had seemed to be slipping away. The Pelicans went cold for stretches and struggled to convert at the free-throw line, allowing the Warriors to make it a six-point game at the break: New Orleans 46, Golden State 39.
Third Quarter: Warriors Erase the Lead (GS 33, NO 31)
The third quarter was the most dramatic of the four. Golden State outscored New Orleans 33-31 in the period — a strong enough run to tie or take the lead at various points. The Warriors’ offense came alive, pushing the pace and attacking the basket with urgency. New Orleans, to their credit, kept answering, and the teams entered the fourth quarter in a tight contest. The 12-point first-quarter lead was fully erased, setting up a pivotal final frame.
Fourth Quarter: Pelicans Close It Out (NO 36, GS 37)
The fourth quarter was a battle. Golden State actually outscored New Orleans 37-36 in the final period, but the Pelicans had just enough cushion and made the critical plays when they needed them most. Williamson was at his best down the stretch, and the Pelicans’ defense stiffened when it mattered. New Orleans held on for the 113-109 final, snapping what had been a competitive stand by a Warriors team operating with a thin roster.
Key Performers
Zion Williamson — New Orleans Pelicans
Williamson was the anchor of this win. His 26 points led all scorers and came with 6 rebounds, earning him the game’s top rating. He was the Pelicans’ most reliable offensive option, especially in the second half when Golden State was making its push. Williamson’s ability to draw contact, score in the post, and attack in transition gave New Orleans a consistent threat that the Warriors had no clean answer for.
Dejounte Murray — New Orleans Pelicans
The bigger story of the night was Murray’s return. Playing his first NBA game in nearly 13 months, the guard chipped in 13 points in his debut with the Pelicans. There will inevitably be rust to shake off, but the signs were encouraging. Murray’s defensive instincts and playmaking ability were visible from the start, and his presence gives New Orleans a legitimate secondary creator alongside Williamson.
Jeremiah Fears — New Orleans Pelicans
The young guard led New Orleans with 5 assists, showing comfort and poise as a facilitator. Fears was the Pelicans’ top helper on the night, doing a solid job of moving the ball and creating opportunities for teammates in a game where ball movement was critical against a scrappy Warriors defense.
Karlo Matkovic — New Orleans Pelicans
Matkovic quietly put together a productive night on the glass, leading all players with 8 rebounds. His physicality and effort in the paint were important factors in a game where New Orleans dominated the boards with 53 total rebounds — a significant advantage that helped offset a below-average shooting night (42.6% from the field, 25.0% from three).
Game Analysis
This was a game of two distinct halves. New Orleans’ hot start built a cushion that proved essential, because the Pelicans were not at their sharpest offensively over the final three quarters. Shooting 42.6% from the field and just 25.0% from beyond the arc (10-of-40) is not a winning formula most nights, but the Pelicans made up for it by getting to the line (17-of-23 free throws) and dominating the boards (53 rebounds).
Golden State’s comeback — particularly their 33-point third quarter — was a reminder that even a shorthanded Warriors team is capable of making significant runs. The Warriors finished with 109 points, a respectable total for a depleted roster, and actually won the second half. But the 12-point hole they dug in the first quarter ultimately proved to be the difference.
The narrative of the night, however, belongs to Murray’s return. After sitting out for nearly 13 months, his ability to contribute immediately at this level is a meaningful development for a Pelicans franchise that has been battered by injuries all season. If Murray can regain full health and rhythm, New Orleans suddenly has one of the more intriguing backcourt-forward combinations in the Western Conference moving forward.
Standings and Series Implications
With the win, the Pelicans improve to 17-42 on the season (11-21 at home, 6-21 on the road). It is not a record that puts New Orleans in playoff contention, but wins like this — competitive, hard-fought, anchored by a healthy Zion and a returning Murray — hint at what this team could look like with a full roster. For Golden State, the loss is another setback in a season already complicated by injuries. The Pelicans’ attention now turns to building on this result and continuing to develop their young pieces alongside their returning veterans. Murray’s comeback marks a turning point in the season’s final stretch, and Pelicans fans have reason to pay attention to how this roster comes together over the remaining games.
