The Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans squared off on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, in a matchup that brought together two teams with vastly different motivations. Tip-off was set for 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), and the game was broadcast across NBC Sports Bay Area, Gulf Coast Sports, WVUE, and Pelicans+, as well as streaming platforms like Peacock and Fubo.
Heading into this contest, the Warriors (30-27) were riding the momentum of a gutsy win over the Denver Nuggets just two days prior. In that game, Golden State overcame a slew of injuries and a shorthanded roster to defeat a formidable Nuggets squad 128-117. Brandin Podziemski, the third-year guard, delivered a standout performance, scoring 18 points—15 of which came in a red-hot fourth quarter. As the Warriors looked to solidify their place in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, every game, especially against struggling teams, became crucial.
The Pelicans, meanwhile, entered the night with a 16-42 record, languishing near the bottom of the conference. Their struggles were evident on both ends of the floor: New Orleans ranked sixth-worst in offensive rating (112.5) and fourth-worst in defensive rating (118.1). To make matters worse, their recent starting lineup featured four players shooting below 30 percent from beyond the arc. The team’s focus seemed to be shifting toward the future, as speculation about a "tank" season swirled among pundits and fans alike.
Golden State opened as 1.5-point favorites, with most sportsbooks setting the over/under at 227.5 points. The Warriors’ record against the spread (ATS) stood at 26-31, including an 18-21 mark as favorites by 1.5 points or more. The Pelicans, despite their struggles, had covered the spread 33 times in 58 games and were 27-22 as underdogs of 1.5 points or greater. The betting public and analysts alike saw this as an opportunity for Golden State to take care of business, but nothing is ever guaranteed in the NBA.
Injury woes continued to plague both squads. For the Warriors, Stephen Curry (knee), Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles), Seth Curry (back), Al Horford (toe), and Jimmy Butler (knee, out for the season) were all sidelined. Draymond Green, who missed the previous game as a late scratch, was listed as probable with a back issue and was expected to return to the starting lineup. On the Pelicans’ side, Yves Missi (calf), Trey Murphy III (shoulder), and Micah Peavy (toe) were all unavailable.
Projected starters for Golden State included Pat Spencer, De’Anthony Melton, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, and Draymond Green. The Pelicans’ starting five was expected to feature Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey, Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, and DeAndre Jordan. With both teams missing key contributors, the stage was set for role players and young talent to step up under the national spotlight.
Brandin Podziemski, fresh off his game-winning performance against Denver, was a player to watch. Oddsmakers set his points prop at 15.5, despite his season average being 12.1 points per game. Podziemski had gone over his points prop in 29 out of 57 games this season, and projections suggested he’d be right around the mark again tonight. As for Draymond Green, analysts predicted he would struggle to reach his rebounding and scoring props, given his recent form and the physical toll of back-to-back games. In fact, Green had failed to grab six rebounds in seven of his last ten outings, and expectations were tempered for his offensive output as well.
On the Pelicans’ side, Derik Queen was highlighted as a potential bright spot. He had narrowly missed double-doubles in five of his last nine games and was pegged as a candidate to deliver a strong performance against the Warriors’ depleted frontcourt. With Zion Williamson anchoring the paint and DeAndre Jordan providing veteran leadership, New Orleans hoped to exploit Golden State’s thin rotation inside.
Statistically, the matchup offered intriguing contrasts. The Warriors averaged 115.6 points per game while allowing 113.9, a net positive that underscored their playoff aspirations. The Pelicans, by comparison, scored 114.8 points but gave up a hefty 120.6 per night—evidence of their defensive struggles. Notably, 69 percent of Pelicans games this season had gone over the 227.5-point total, as had 34 of 57 Warriors games. Recent betting trends also favored the over, with Golden State’s last four games all surpassing their posted totals by an average of 15.75 points.
The motivational gap between the two teams was hard to ignore. As one analyst put it, “The Pelicans are actively trying to tank, while the Warriors are desperate to stay in the top half of the Play-In Tournament.” That sense of urgency was expected to manifest in Golden State’s approach, especially with veterans like Draymond Green and rising contributors like Podziemski leading the charge. The Smoothie King Center, while not the most intimidating venue in the league, still offered a home-court advantage that New Orleans hoped to leverage in front of their faithful fans.
For those placing wagers, same-game parlays focused on the Warriors moneyline, Draymond Green’s under on rebounds and points, and Derik Queen to notch a double-double. The Warriors were listed as -125 favorites on the moneyline, while the Pelicans came in at +105. With the over/under sitting at 227.5, bettors anticipated another high-scoring affair—one that could come down to which team’s supporting cast rose to the occasion.
As the action tipped off in New Orleans, the stakes were clear: Golden State needed a win to maintain their playoff positioning, while the Pelicans hoped to play spoiler and give their young core valuable experience. With both lineups in flux and injuries mounting, unpredictability reigned supreme. Fans tuning in on NBCS-BA, Gulf Coast Sports, and streaming platforms were treated to a game that, while perhaps flying under the radar, carried significant implications for the Warriors’ postseason hopes and the Pelicans’ rebuilding journey.
With the game still ongoing, all eyes remain on whether the Warriors’ determination and depth can overcome adversity, or if the Pelicans will defy expectations and notch a surprise victory on their home court. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds in the Big Easy.