The Golden State Warriors (42-31) pulled away with a strong fourth-quarter performance and secured a much-needed 111-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans (20-54) on March 29.
Golden State Warriors Top Performers:
Stephen Curry 23 PTS | 6 AST | 3 STL | 44.8 FPS
Curry missed his last two games due to a pelvic issue after taking a nasty fall in their game against the Raptors. However, he looked great in his return, logging 34 minutes and recording his ninth 20-point game this month, his eighth game with 4+ three-pointers, his fourth game in the last five with 5+ assists, and, most importantly, the win—which improved the Warriors to 16-2 when both Curry and Butler play together. After the game, he mentioned that he avoided a more serious injury and guaranteed that he could play. That said, he should be able to finish the week at a high level.
Jimmy Butler 18 PTS | 10 REB | 4 AST | 37.0 FPS
Butler carried over his poor performance from their previous loss into the start of today’s game, but he picked it up in the second half and finished with his fourth double-double of the month. He has been a solid rebounder and playmaker since joining the team, though some inconsistency is inevitable. However, his scoring has seen a decline recently, with ongoing struggles from three and decreased productivity at the free-throw line.
Jonathan Kuminga 16 PTS | 8 REB | 3 AST | 30.9 FPS
Kuminga continues to operate under a minutes restriction but has scored 15+ points in each of his last four games. While his production has primarily been focused on scoring since his return, his solid rebounding performance today and his recent success at the free-throw line are major positives.
Draymond Green 6 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST | 28.0 FPS
Green has been struggling in offense in his last three games, but he’s continued to contribute in rebounding and playmaking. He also recorded three stocks today, a notable improvement after posting none in their previous loss. While he should have no trouble maintaining his usual numbers, he has the potential for even more if he can manage his foul problems.
Quinten Post 15 PTS | 3 3PM | 6 REB| 24.2 FPS
Post’s minutes took a hit in his last two games, but he got back on track today, recording another double-digit scoring performance and also hitting 3+ three-pointers for the fourth time in his last five games.
New Orleans Pelicans Top Performers:
Bruce Brown 18 PTS | 7 REB | 2 BLK | 38.9 FPS
Brown recorded his fourth consecutive double-digit scoring game and added 4 stocks to his stat line. While his scoring should hold steady as long as Williamson and McCollum are sidelined, his defensive performance appears to be a one-off. Other than that, his contributions in other areas have been too limited to warrant serious consideration for rostering.
Yves Missi 12 PTS | 10 REB | 1 BLK | 26.0 FPS
Missi has consistently contributed in rebounding and shot-blocking lately while also scoring in double digits in four of his last five games. However, his production remains largely confined to these few areas.
Elfrid Payton 4 PTS | 5 REB | 10 AST | 21.0 FPS
Payton has secured a solid bench role in his last two games, providing steady rebounding while excelling as a playmaker. Though he has the upside to deliver strong performances, he’s not guaranteed to see minutes consistently, making a big risk. However, as long as McCollum remains sidelined, Payton is likely to maintain his current role and level of production.
Jose Alvarado 10 PTS | 3 REB | 4 AST | 20.6 FPS
Alvarado has been a regular in the starting lineup in recent weeks, though his inconsistent offensive performance continues to limit his fantasy value. However, he’s an excellent option for assists and steals.
Karlo Matkovic 10 PTS | 3 REB | 1 BLK | 21.6 FPS
Matkovic has been hot on offense lately, recording his second-straight double-digit game after almost dropping 20 points in their last game. Though his rebounding took a step back today, he still contributed solidly on defense with 2 stocks. Despite that, his fantasy value continues to be capped with his limited role.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Brandin Podziemski 10 PTS | 6 REB| 1 STL
Podziemski hasn’t fully capitalized on Curry’s absence and has shown some struggles on the offensive end lately. However, he remained a decent option for offense, scoring in double digits for the fifth-consecutive game. While he’s unlikely to put up exceptional numbers now, he can still be a valuable option for threes and rebounds.
