The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Golden State Warriors 113-109 on Tuesday night, improving their record to 17-42 on the season. The biggest topic after this win was the return of Dejounte Murray, who played in his first game since January 31, 2025. While Murray impressed with his return, the real unsung hero for the Pelicans was Bryce McGowens.
After a strong start to the game, when the Pelicans led 31-19 after one quarter, things stagnated on the offensive end as the Warriors entered a zone that confused New Orleans. With the Warriors beginning to take control of the game, interim head coach James Borrego had to find an answer, and he opted to bring in McGowens, who had sat out the entire first half and would be left out cold.
It has paid off. McGowens brought energy and floor spacing that helped the Pelicans turn the game back in their favor. The 23-year-old finished the game with seven points, four rebounds, one steal and one block while shooting 60 percent from the field.
His ability to impact the game no matter the situation he is put in is what makes McGowens such a valuable role player. Games like Tuesday night are a great example of why the front office made the right decision in converting his contract from a two-way deal to a standard.
Why McGowens continues to prove the Pelicans right
This season, McGowens has been a valuable player on the floor for the Pelicans, shooting 44.6 percent from three points while averaging 8.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. His attention to detail, anticipation, willingness to shoot, basketball IQ and fluid jump shots make him an ideal complementary piece.
Simply put, he is a winning player. There was talk of possession around the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter, when the Warriors had a wide-open, rolling Draymond Green, and McGowens adjusted perfectly. He quickly eliminated his man and made an incredible diving effort to jump on the entry pass and raise it into the air, where Herb Jones tracked him down. This led to a transition turn three for Saddiq Bey. Little plays like this are the reason the fanbase is really starting to fall in love with McGowens’ playing.
One thing I have continued to emphasize with McGowens is his understanding of his role, and Tuesday’s match was no exception. He came in and provided energy defensively and on the glass before converting his scoring opportunities.
What separates a good role player from a great one is versatility and the ability to impact the game in different situations. Bryce McGowens has shown he can do just that, and with each performance, the Pelicans’ decision to sign him to a standard contract becomes more and more valid.
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