Golden State basketball is on the way! Come join our game thread and chat about tonight’s matchup here.
The Golden State Warriors continue their road trip with Friday night’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. The game will be played at 5:00PM PT in New Orleans and can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.
Previously with the Warriors:
The Warriors suffered their second consecutive defeat on Tuesday, falling to the Miami Heat, 112-86. While the matchup was significant because of Jimmy Butler’s return to Miami—where he played for five-and-a-half seasons before being traded to the Warriors at this year’s trade deadline—the game itself was pretty one-sided.
The Warriors struggled to find rhythm on both ends of the floor, playing without Stephen Curry for the second straight game due to a pelvic contusion. The Heat, on the other hand, came into the matchup focused and fired on all cylinders, shooting a season-high 68% (17-of-25) from beyond the arc. Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 27 points, while Butler contributed just 11 points.
Post-game, Butler stressed that the Warriors need to elevate their effort in order to get back to their winning ways.
“Probably the effort coming out of the jump. We’ve got to guard a little bit better. Seems like as of late everyone’s been scoring at will at the rim, getting to the FT line. We’ve gotten away from what got us a couple wins.”
Jimmy Butler on what needs to change for Warriors pic.twitter.com/MCH7ERjKqj
— KNBR (@KNBR) March 26, 2025
What to watch for tonight:
Golden State will get a boost for their Friday night matchup in New Orleans with Curry expected to return from his two-game absence. However, the Warriors still won’t be at full strength as the team announced that Gary Payton II will miss time due to a partially torn ligament in his left thumb.
Warriors guard Gary Payton II has suffered a partial tear of a ligament in his left thumb. The injury occurred during Tuesday’s game against the Heat in Miami. Payton II will not play in tomorrow’s game against the Pelicans in New Orleans and will be re-evaluated in one week.
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) March 27, 2025
The Pelicans are dealing with significant injuries as well, including to star players C.J. McCollum (right foot contusion) and Zion Williamson (lower back contusion). This marks McCollum’s second straight missed game, while Williamson will sit out his fourth consecutive game.
List of Pelicans out for the Warriors’ self-described biggest game of the season: Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, Brandon Boston.
Gary Payton II (thumb) out for Golden State, Steph Curry questionable.
— Danny Emerman (@DannyEmerman) March 28, 2025
Injury setbacks aside, it’s been a bad season for New Orleans as they currently hold a 20-53 record, second-to-last in the Western Conference standings. Statistically, they’re one of the worst teams in the league ranking 24th in offensive rating, last in defensive rating, and 29th in overall net rating.
With Curry back in action, the Warriors should be able to take advantage of this and regain their rhythm against a struggling Pelicans team. Head coach Steve Kerr has already placed some added emphasis on this game, making sure his team comes out with a sense of urgency following two underwhelming performances.
Steve Kerr: “Friday’s the biggest game of the year for us. We’ve lost two games in a row, very poor performances. It’s time, we’ve got to bounce back. That’s what good teams do and I’m confident that we’ll do that.”
Steph Curry trending toward a return for that one in Nola.
— Danny Emerman (@DannyEmerman) March 26, 2025
Enjoy the game Dub Nation. GO WARRIORS!!!
Projected Starters
Warriors: Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody, Draymond Green
Pelicans: Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, Keion Brooks Jr., Kelly Olynyk, Yves Missi
How to watch Regular Season Game 73
Who: Golden State Warriors (41 – 31) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (20 – 53)
When: Friday, March 28th, at 5:00 p.m. PT
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisianna
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area (available on fuboTV)
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