New Orleans Pelicans 113, Golden State Warriors 109 — that is the final from Smoothie King Center on February 24, 2026, where Zion Williamson dropped 26 points on 52.4% shooting and the Pelicans held off a gutsy late Warriors charge. If you came looking for the golden state warriors vs new orleans pelicans match player stats, you are in the right place.
Table of contents
- Final Score and Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
- New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats
- Golden State Warriors Player Stats
- Team Stats Head-to-Head
- Shot Location and Rim Attack Breakdown
- What Decided This NBA Matchup
- Player Efficiency Ratings Compared
- Draymond Green’s Impact Beyond Scoring
- Herbert Jones Defensive Performance
- Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown: How the Game Unfolded
- Key Deciding Factors: The Full Picture
- Post-Game Analysis: Three Things That Stood Out
- What This Result Means Going Forward
- Full Box Score Summary
Final Score and Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The first quarter told the story. New Orleans came out hot, built a cushion, and never fully let go of the wheel.
| Quarter | New Orleans Pelicans | Golden State Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 31 | 19 |
| Q2 | 15 | 20 |
| Q3 | 31 | 33 |
| Q4 | 36 | 37 |
| Final | 113 | 109 |
That 12-point deficit from Q1 haunted Golden State all night. They actually won three of the four quarters but the hole dug in the opening 12 minutes was simply too deep to fully climb out of.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Stats
Starting Five
| Player | POS | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT | FT | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | F | 26 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 11/21 (52.4%) | 1/1 | 3/5 | -7 |
| Saddiq Bey | F | 18 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6/13 (46.2%) | 1/6 | 5/5 | -2 |
| Dejounte Murray | G | 13 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5/11 (45.5%) | 1/4 | 2/2 | 0 |
| Jordan Poole | G | 12 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4/11 (36.4%) | 3/10 | 1/1 | +3 |
| Derik Queen | C | 8 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4/13 (30.8%) | 0/3 | 0/1 | +8 |
Bench Contributions
| Player | POS | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT | FT | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karlo Matkovic | F-C | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4/6 (66.7%) | 1/3 | 1/2 | -5 |
| Jeremiah Fears | G | 8 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3/10 (30.0%) | 1/3 | 1/2 | +5 |
| Bryce McGowens | G | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3/5 (60.0%) | 1/3 | 0/0 | +6 |
| DeAndre Jordan | C | 6 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2/3 (66.7%) | 0/0 | 2/3 | +11 |
| Herbert Jones | G | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1/8 (12.5%) | 1/7 | 2/2 | +1 |
Herbert Jones finished with 5 steals on a night when his scoring line looked quiet. His defensive impact was anything but quiet. That steals total was the highest of any player on either roster and kept Golden State from getting comfortable in their half-court sets throughout the second half.
Golden State Warriors Player Stats
Starting Five
| Player | POS | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT | FT | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moses Moody | F | 24 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7/13 (53.8%) | 4/10 | 6/8 | +13 |
| Brandin Podziemski | G | 16 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 7/18 (38.9%) | 1/6 | 1/2 | -1 |
| Gui Santos | F | 15 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 6/13 (46.2%) | 1/4 | 2/2 | -7 |
| Draymond Green | C | 11 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 5/11 (45.5%) | 1/3 | 0/0 | +8 |
| Quinten Post | C | 6 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3/7 (42.9%) | 0/4 | 0/0 | -13 |
Bench Contributions
| Player | POS | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT | FT | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Spencer | G | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2/7 (28.6%) | 1/4 | 0/0 | +1 |
| Gary Payton II | G | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2/7 (28.6%) | 0/4 | 0/0 | -11 |
| Will Richard | G | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0/1 (0%) | 0/1 | 0/0 | -19 |
Both Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos posted double-doubles on the night. That is the good news. The bad news is Golden State’s turnover issue was severe, and we will get to that.
Team Stats Head-to-Head
| Stat | New Orleans Pelicans | Golden State Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 113 | 109 |
| Field Goal % | 42.6% | 41.2% |
| 3-Point % | 25.0% | 24.4% |
| Free Throw % | 73.9% | 78.3% |
| Total Rebounds | 59 | 68 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 21 | 21 |
| Assists | 20 | 26 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 21 |
| Steals | 12 | 8 |
| Blocks | 9 | 6 |
| Points in Paint | 64 | 58 |
| Fast Break Points | 20 | 4 |
| Second Chance Points | 20 | 24 |
| Points Off Turnovers | 18 | 18 |
| Bench Points | 45 | 26 |
| Biggest Lead | 14 | 4 |
| Effective FG% | 47.5% | 46.9% |
| True Shooting % | 50.8% | 50.9% |
| Offensive Rating | 105.5 | 101.8 |
| Defensive Rating | 101.8 | 105.5 |
That fast break points gap, NOP 20 vs GSW 4, is the single most telling column in that whole sheet.
Shot Location and Rim Attack Breakdown
| Shooting Zone | NOP Made/Att | NOP % | GSW Made/Att | GSW % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At the Rim | 27/44 | 61.4% | 25/40 | 62.5% |
| Mid-Range | 1/3 | 33.3% | 0/4 | 0.0% |
| Three-Pointers | 10/40 | 25.0% | 11/45 | 24.4% |
| Free Throws | 17/23 | 73.9% | 18/23 | 78.3% |
Both teams attacked the rim at almost identical efficiency. The separation did not come from the three-point line either, both shot 25% from deep. The real gap showed up in transition and second-chance opportunities, not half-court execution.
What Decided This NBA Matchup
Zion Was the X-Factor All Night
Let’s talk about the biggest factor in this game. Zion Williamson finished with 26 points on 21 shots, grabbed 5 offensive boards, and scored 20 of his points in the paint. He was a physical problem the entire night.
His 5 offensive rebounds fed directly into New Orleans’ 20 second-chance points. When a power forward is grabbing that many offensive boards on top of scoring efficiently, you are dealing with a total package that is hard to contain without foul trouble. Williamson went to the line just 5 times and converted 3 of 5, which is actually a low free throw volume for the way he plays. He could have been even more dominant.
Moses Moody Was Golden State’s Best Player
The best individual performance on either side of the court was Moses Moody with 24 points, hitting 7 of 13 shots and knocking down 4 of 10 from three. His true shooting percentage on the night was 72.6%, which is elite efficiency. He also drew 8 free throw attempts and shot 75% from the line.
His plus/minus of +13 was the highest of any player in the game. That means Golden State actually outscored New Orleans when Moody was on the floor. That is not a small detail in a 4-point game.
The Brandin Podziemski Double-Double Story
Brandin Podziemski finished with a double-double (16 points, 15 rebounds) and his 15 boards were a game high. He also grabbed 5 offensive rebounds, feeding into the Warriors’ 24 second-chance points. On paper it looks solid.
The issue is efficiency. Podziemski shot 38.9% from the field, 1-for-6 from three, and his true shooting percentage of 42.4% reflects a night where the volume was there but the conversion was not. A guard posting 15 rebounds is impressive, but in a 4-point loss, you want that production converting to more than 16 points.
Golden State’s Turnover Problem Was the Difference
Golden State turned the ball over 21 times. New Orleans turned it over 17 times. Both teams converted those into exactly 18 points off turnovers, so the points scored off mistakes balanced out.
What did not balance out was fast break opportunities. New Orleans had 14 fast break attempts to Golden State’s 5 and turned those into 20 points versus 4. That is a 16-point swing in a game decided by 4 points.
Gui Santos led all players with 6 individual turnovers. That number is a problem for any starter. Pat Spencer added 3 more off the bench.
The Bench Gap Was the Real Story
| Bench Metric | NOP | GSW |
|---|---|---|
| Bench Points | 45 | 26 |
| Bench Difference | +19 |
New Orleans got 45 points from their bench units. Golden State got 26. A 19-point gap from reserves in a 4-point game is not a coincidence. Every time the Warriors made a run, the Pelicans’ second unit answered or held steady.
DeAndre Jordan finished with a +11 in his bench stint and shot 66.7% from the field. Karlo Matkovic shot 66.7% from the floor, blocked 3 shots, and grabbed 4 offensive rebounds. Bryce McGowens came in and shot 60% with a +6. These are contributors who showed up in the right moments.
Player Efficiency Ratings Compared
| Player | Team | EFF | Game Score | True Shooting % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | NOP | 21 | 19.2 | 56.0% |
| Moses Moody | GSW | 20 | 18.3 | 72.6% |
| Brandin Podziemski | GSW | 20 | 13.0 | 42.4% |
| Karlo Matkovic | NOP | 18 | 13.0 | 72.7% |
| Saddiq Bey | NOP | 17 | 11.0 | 59.2% |
| Gui Santos | GSW | 19 | 12.4 | 54.0% |
| Draymond Green | GSW | 16 | 12.4 | 50.0% |
| Jeremiah Fears | NOP | 9 | 5.6 | 36.8% |
| Jordan Poole | NOP | 12 | 7.8 | 52.4% |
Moses Moody and Karlo Matkovic both posted 72%+ true shooting percentages. That level of efficiency in a close game where every possession mattered reflects just how well those two executed their shots. Moody simply did not get enough support around him.
For fans who want to dig deeper into box scores, individual game logs, and matchup data across the full NBA season, matchvsplayerstats.com is worth bookmarking as a resource for exactly this kind of per-game breakdown.
Draymond Green’s Impact Beyond Scoring
Draymond Green’s night: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover. His assists-to-turnover ratio of 6.0 to 1 was the best of any player in the game. He was the connective tissue for Golden State offensively, keeping the ball moving and creating quality looks for Moody and Santos.
His +8 suggests that the lineups he anchored outperformed expectations. The problem is that the moments without him widened the gap in ways the Warriors could not claw back. Green’s combination of court vision, interior defense, and playmaking remains a foundational piece for Golden State, and on this night he held up his end.
Herbert Jones Defensive Performance
He scored 5 points. But 5 steals in a single game is a standout defensive performance by any measure. Jones was applying constant pressure on Golden State’s ball handlers, disrupting the timing of their offense without collecting foul trouble that limited other defenders.
His steals percentage of 7.26% was the highest figure of any player in this contest. His defensive rating of 94.6 was the best among all Pelicans players who logged significant minutes. Understanding the Warriors’ rhythm issues in the second half starts with understanding what Jones was doing to disrupt them.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown: How the Game Unfolded
Q1: New Orleans Sets the Tone (31-19)
The Pelicans came out with physicality and intent. They attacked the paint early, got Zion going immediately, and pushed Golden State into scramble mode on defense. A 12-point first-quarter lead is a significant cushion in the NBA. It forces the trailing team to play catch-up ball rather than executing their own game plan.
Q2: Warriors Respond (NOP 46, GSW 39 at Half)
Golden State won Q2 20-15 and cut the halftime deficit to 7. The ball movement improved, Moody got comfortable finding his spots, and the defensive energy picked up. They trailed 46-39 at the break. Manageable. But the Warriors were still chasing rather than leading.
Q3: Best Basketball of the Night
The third quarter was where this game earned its drama. Golden State won it 33-31 and trimmed the lead further. Both teams played with pace and precision, the crowd at Smoothie King Center was fully engaged, and it looked like a genuine comeback was forming.
Q4: Pelicans Close It Out
The fourth quarter was essentially a push, 37-36 in Golden State’s favor. But by then, the Pelicans had enough cushion to survive the Warriors’ pressure. New Orleans’ biggest lead of 14 points from earlier in the game provided the breathing room they needed. Golden State got close but never tied it.
Key Deciding Factors: The Full Picture
| Factor | NOP | GSW | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Break Points | 20 | 4 | NOP by 16 |
| Bench Points | 45 | 26 | NOP by 19 |
| Steals | 12 | 8 | NOP by 4 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 21 | NOP by 4 (fewer) |
| Blocks | 9 | 6 | NOP by 3 |
| Total Rebounds | 59 | 68 | GSW by 9 |
| Assists | 20 | 26 | GSW by 6 |
| FT% | 73.9% | 78.3% | GSW by 4.4 |
| Second Chance Pts | 20 | 24 | GSW by 4 |
The Warriors actually won the rebounding battle by 9 and the assists battle by 6. They shot better from the line and generated more second-chance points. In a different game, those numbers win you the night. Here, the fast break gap and the bench gap absorbed all of Golden State’s advantages.
Post-Game Analysis: Three Things That Stood Out
1. Zion controlled the paint possession game
When he wants 26 points and 5 offensive boards, there is very little you can do defensively without sending him to the free throw line. He only attempted 5 free throws on a night when his style should have generated more. The fact that New Orleans still won by 4 with Zion going just 3-of-5 from the stripe shows how well the team executed around him.
2. Golden State’s starting five was competitive, the bench was not
The Warriors’ starters moved the ball well, generating 26 assists on 40 made field goals is above average shot creation. But the moment reserves entered, the quality and momentum shifted toward New Orleans. That is not sustainable over a full game.
3. Transition defense was a critical failure
Giving up 20 fast break points to a team is a systemic problem for one night. Doing it while only generating 4 yourself is a result of turnovers and defensive positioning that the Warriors coaching staff will need to address on film.
What This Result Means Going Forward
For the Pelicans, this is the kind of win that builds momentum. Beating a conference opponent at home with contribution from across the roster, not just their star, is exactly the formula for a team trying to solidify its standing in the West. Zion healthy and dominant, a deep bench contributing 45 points, and transition basketball executed at a high level. That is a complete team performance.
For the Warriors, the turnover issue is recurring and urgent. 21 turnovers and 4 fast break points allowed in a 4-point loss is a combination that does not go away on its own. Moses Moody showed his ceiling on the right night, and if Golden State needs him to be the primary offensive option consistently to stay competitive, that is a conversation the organization needs to be having.
Full Box Score Summary
| Category | New Orleans Pelicans | Golden State Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 113 | 109 |
| Top Scorer | Zion Williamson (26 pts) | Moses Moody (24 pts) |
| Top Rebounder | DeAndre Jordan / K. Matkovic (8) | Brandin Podziemski (15) |
| Top Assists | Jeremiah Fears (5) | Draymond Green (6) |
| Top Steals | Herbert Jones (5) | Gui Santos / Podziemski (2) |
| Top Blocks | Karlo Matkovic (3) | Gui Santos (3) |
| Field Goal % | 42.6% | 41.2% |
| 3-Point % | 25.0% | 24.4% |
| Free Throw % | 73.9% | 78.3% |
| Total Rebounds | 59 | 68 |
| Turnovers | 17 | 21 |
| Bench Points | 45 | 26 |
| Fast Break Pts | 20 | 4 |
The golden state warriors vs new orleans pelicans match player stats from February 24, 2026 show a Pelicans team that executed when and where it mattered most: in the opening quarter, in transition, and off the bench. Golden State competed hard and had the better players on the floor by some individual metrics, but four extra turnovers and a 16-point fast break disadvantage is simply too much ground to recover in a tight game.
