The Golden State Warriors travel to the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday to take on the New Orleans Pelicans with a depleted roster at 8:00 PM ET.
Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler are both listed as off due to knee and ACL problems, leaving the Warriors without two of their top scorers. Seth Curry and Kristaps Porzingis are also sidelined, while Draymond Green, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton are questionable on injury management protocols. Two-way player LJ Cryer is also out.
Golden State’s depth will be tested as their top three scorers – Curry (27.2 PPG), Butler (20.0 PPG) and Brandin Podziemski (12.1 PPG) – are out or limited. Green contributes 8.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, but his availability remains uncertain, which could impact the team’s defense and playmaking. Moses Moody, who is averaging 11.7 points, and Podziemski may have to shoulder more offensive responsibility against a Pelicans team that sits at the bottom of the Western Conference.
New Orleans is also dealing with absences, with Yves Missi (left calf) and Micah Peavy (right big toe) out. Trey Alexander and Hunter Dickinson remain in the G League, and Trey Murphy III is sidelined with a right shoulder contusion. Dejounte Murray is listed as available after recovering from a right Achilles tear.
The Pelicans will rely on Zion Williamson, who is averaging 21.8 points and six rebounds, and Saddiq Bey, who is contributing 16.7 points per game, to stabilize the offense.
The matchup has history this season, with Golden State winning both previous meetings, including a 124-106 road win on Nov. 16 and a 104-96 home win on Nov. 29.
Both teams have had mixed results in recent matches. Golden State defeated the Denver Nuggets 128-117 on February 22 after losing to the Boston Celtics 110-121 on February 19.
New Orleans defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 126-111 on February 21, but fell 118-139 to the Milwaukee Bucks the night before.
Tuesday’s game could impact playoff positioning, with Golden State sitting in 8th place in the Western Conference at 29-27 and New Orleans struggling in 14th place with a 16-42 record.
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