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If you were expecting the Warriors to come out of the gates firing after losing their season opener, well . . . that didn’t exactly happen. The Dubs looked sloppy and unfocused in the opening minutes against an energetic New Orleans Pelicans team.
The Pelicans had early 7-0 and 10-0 runs en route to an early 15-point lead, with Kevin Durant visibly frustrated after committing a handful of turnovers.
Despite his slow start on offense, KD made highlights on the defensive end . . . without the help of his shoes:
KD is better with one shoe than most players with two - multiple blocks on this play #NoShoeNoProblem
— NBCS Warriors News (@NBCSWarriors) October 21, 2017
Watch Game: https://t.co/zBgsXOuiWf pic.twitter.com/fv1FlFwDdZ
The theme continued in the second quarter until emotions took over. Draymond Green got a technical foul for shoving DeMarcus Cousins (who can look forward to his Oscar nomination in a few months). Immediately afterwards, Stephen Curry (28 points, 9 assists) - the lone consistent piece in the first half - drew consecutive offensive fouls from Cousins, forcing him to the bench.
Warriors in the 5:27 after the Draymond Green technical foul: +14. Outscored Pelicans 21-7 to close half.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 21, 2017
The highlight of the run, which brought the Warriors to within 3 at halftime, was another Durant block:
Not up in here! (NBCSBA, ESPN) pic.twitter.com/Uiae7dG1zI
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) October 21, 2017
The Dubs picked up where they left off in the second half, opening up an 8-point lead just four minutes into the third frame. Klay Thompson (33 points) caught fire, and provided perhaps the biggest highlight of the young season:
Swat, a slam and a raising of the roof ... We see you @KlayThompson!!! (@NBCSAuthentic, ESPN) pic.twitter.com/KsuskcBWuD
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) October 21, 2017
Not to be outdone by Klay, Durant (who finished with 7 rejections) made sure that everyone knew his Block Party was still in full swing:
NOT IN MY HOUSE ☝️ pic.twitter.com/YxT0usK4Fk
— NBCS Warriors News (@NBCSWarriors) October 21, 2017
Anthony Davis (35 points, 16 rebounds) and Cousins (35 points, 14 rebounds) did everything possible to keep New Orleans close, and almost succeeded. But just as things were getting tight, rookie Jordan Bell found some open floor, and the Warriors stormed back ahead:
The rook drops the ... @1jordanbell from @Money23Green. (ESPN, NBCSBA). pic.twitter.com/jEXHG09KLl
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) October 21, 2017
The Dubs pushed the lead to 15 in the final frame, but the Pelicans fought until the very end, keeping the game interesting until the last minute.
But when all was said and done, the Warriors emerged with their first victory of the season, 128-120.
Poll
Who was the Warrior Wonder vs the Pelicans?
This poll is closed
-
2%
Draymond Green
(20 votes) -
54%
Klay Thompson
(463 votes) -
7%
Stephen Curry
(62 votes) -
30%
Kevin Durant
(265 votes) -
0%
David West
(0 votes) -
0%
Andre Iguodala
(5 votes) -
1%
Zaza Pachulia
(15 votes) -
1%
Jordan Bell
(12 votes) -
0%
Nick Young
(1 vote) -
0%
Shaun Livingston
(4 votes) -
0%
JaVale McGee
(8 votes)