The Golden State Warriors returned to the loss column on Tuesday night, falling 113–109 to the New Orleans Pelicans in a matchup defined by injuries, inconsistency, and extended stretches of offensive stagnation that ultimately cost them a winnable game.
It was an unusual contest from the start, with the Warriors missing Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Al Horford, creating a patchwork rotation that forced young players into oversized roles they attempted to embrace throughout the night.
The Pelicans entered the matchup with a surprisingly healthy roster, welcoming back Dejounte Murray after more than a year on the sidelines, giving New Orleans a stabilizing force as Golden State attempted to manage its next-man-up mentality under difficult circumstances.
The first half was disastrous offensively for the Warriors, who struggled to generate clean looks, missed open shots repeatedly, and appeared overwhelmed by New Orleans’ physical defense, leaving them at risk of falling into a blowout before halftime adjustments arrived.
Instead, Golden State regrouped and delivered a much stronger second half, attacking with improved spacing, sharper ball movement, and a level of confidence that had been entirely absent during the early stages of the game before momentum shifted.
The Warriors eventually surged ahead, grabbing a late lead that showcased their resilience and competitive character, but the closing minutes exposed the limitations of a shorthanded roster struggling to generate dependable offense in half-court situations.
As the Pelicans regained control and executed more sharply in winning time, Golden State’s rhythm once again evaporated, with breakdowns on both ends ultimately deciding the outcome in favor of New Orleans despite the Warriors’ admirable fight.
Below is a full player-by-player evaluation of the Warriors’ performance, with each grade based on context, role, expectation, and in-game effectiveness, rather than raw statistics alone.
⭐ Moses Moody
34 minutes, 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 5 fouls, 7-for-13 FG, 4-for-10 3PT, 72.6% TS, +13
Grade: A
Moody delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, stepping into a primary scoring role and embracing it with poise and confidence while providing essential shot creation for a roster missing its top offensive weapons.
His efficiency was outstanding, his shot selection was disciplined, and his ability to leverage the threat of his jumper to attack inside the arc—drawing eight free throws—displayed the growth Golden State has waited to see from him consistently.
Even with foul trouble nearly ending his night early, Moody maintained defensive intensity on the perimeter, contributing in ways beyond scoring while posting the best plus-minus on the team in a game that required complete engagement.
⭐ Gui Santos
39 minutes, 15 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 6 turnovers, 6 fouls, 54.0% TS, -7
Grade: B+
Gui Santos brought relentless energy, logging a rare 39-minute shift and playing with an intensity that shaped multiple possessions on both ends even as turnover issues and foul trouble created moments of volatility throughout the night.
His 12-rebound performance and five combined steals and blocks highlight the disruptive blend of activity and athleticism he brings, often flying across the court to extend plays, secure loose balls, and anchor defensive rotations when needed.
The six turnovers reflected his inexperience handling extended creation responsibilities, but considering the state of the roster and his expanded demands, Santos delivered more good than bad while embracing a workload he rarely sees.
⭐ Draymond Green
32 minutes, 11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 50% FG, +8
Grade: B+
This was one of Draymond Green’s cleaner, more balanced games in recent weeks, particularly defensively, where he guarded Zion Williamson effectively and forced him into difficult finishes despite Zion’s 26-point line.
Green’s passing returned to its trademark sharpness, helping stabilize the second-half offensive resurgence while setting teammates up for high-percentage looks during a stretch when the Warriors needed structure and composure.
His controlled presence was vital for Golden State’s competitiveness, and his overall tone-setting effort remained one of the team’s strongest sources of stability during a turbulent night.
⭐ De’Anthony Melton
28 minutes, 28 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 54.2% TS, +9
Grade: B
Melton was Golden State’s top scorer, providing the only reliable early-game offense when the team couldn’t buy a bucket and carrying much of the creation burden typically handled by Curry under normal circumstances.
His efficiency dropped as fatigue set in, but his shot-making, particularly during stagnant stretches, kept the Warriors from falling behind by insurmountable margins and reminded the team of the value he brings as a self-creator.
His massive dunk stood out as the highlight of the night, injecting much-needed energy into a team desperate for athletic sparks in the absence of its primary stars.
⭐ Spencer Dinwiddie
23 minutes, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 turnovers, 35.7% TS, +1
Grade: C
Dinwiddie struggled to find rhythm throughout the game, especially in the first half when the offense stagnated and he was unable to generate efficient scoring opportunities or sustained pressure as a secondary creator.
His third-quarter surge briefly stabilized Golden State, but the inconsistency overshadowed those flashes, leaving his performance closer to expectation rather than a breakout effort for a depleted roster.
⭐ Pat Post
23 minutes, 6 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 42.9% TS, -13
Grade: B
With Horford resting and Porziņģis unavailable, Post served as the team’s lone traditional center, embracing physicality inside, producing nine rebounds, and scoring efficiently in the paint despite his three-point shot completely abandoning him.
His willingness to anchor the interior defensively helped Golden State compensate for the lack of depth, making his contributions more valuable than his raw scoring total suggests.
⭐ Quinten Richardson
17 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, -19
Grade: C
Richardson played strong perimeter defense, staying disciplined without forcing offense, which is admirable for a rookie in extended minutes, though his overall impact remained limited beyond isolated defensive possessions.
His minus-19 reflects team struggles rather than individual failure, but the lack of scoring or creation highlighted how constrained the Warriors were offensively with him on the floor.
⭐ Brandin Podziemski
32 minutes, 16 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 42.4% TS, -1
Grade: B+
Podziemski delivered another elite rebounding performance, securing 15 boards for the second straight game—an extraordinary achievement for a guard undersized by NBA standards yet relentless in pursuit of impact plays.
His shooting efficiency fluctuated, but his pace control, hustle, and activity consistently elevated the team, exemplifying the high-intensity contributions Golden State depends on amid its injury crisis.
⭐ Gary Payton II
12 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 28.6% TS, -11
Grade: C-
Payton struggled to influence the game defensively at his usual level while offering little offensively, leading to one of his quieter outings in a season where his availability has already been inconsistent due to injuries.
His timing, footwork and burst appeared diminished, limiting his ability to generate the disruptive defensive sequences typically expected from him.
⭐ Jonathan Kuminga (Atlanta Hawks)
24 minutes, 27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, +16
Grade: A+
In a separate storyline, Jonathan Kuminga delivered a spectacular debut for the Atlanta Hawks, dominating with efficiency and explosiveness in a performance that will spark optimism across their fanbase.
His 27 points on 9-for-12 shooting showcased why the Warriors once viewed him as a long-term cornerstone, illustrating his potential to thrive with a larger role in a new environment.
