The Golden State Warriors travel to the Smoothie King Center to face the New Orleans Pelicans on February 24, 2026, in a Western Conference matchup where motivation and roster situations could play a big role. Golden State is still fighting to secure a Play-In or playoff position, while New Orleans is near the bottom of the standings and has struggled with consistency throughout the season. The Warriors enter the game as slight favorites, but injuries and recent inconsistency make this a competitive contest.
Golden State has been dealing with multiple absences and relying heavily on role players to step up. Despite these challenges, they remain motivated and recently pulled off an impressive win against a strong opponent. The Pelicans, meanwhile, have shown flashes of improvement offensively but continue to struggle on the defensive end. With both teams capable of pushing the pace and recent trends pointing toward higher totals, this matchup could turn into a tight and entertaining game. Below is a complete preview including standings, recent form, injury updates, key player stats, head-to-head history, and the best betting picks.
Match Information
| Match | Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|
| Date | February 24, 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans |
| TV | NBC Sports Bay Area, Gulf Coast Sports |
| Spread | Warriors -1 to -1.5 |
| Over/Under | 227.5 |
| Moneyline | Warriors around -120 |
Current Standings & Team Stats
| Team | Record | Win % | PPG | Points Allowed | Net Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | 30-27 | 52.6% | 115.6 | 113.9 | -1.2 |
| Pelicans | 16-42 | 27.6% | 114.8 | 120.6 | -8.2 |
Golden State has the better overall record and defense, while New Orleans struggles to stop opponents, ranking among the worst defensive teams.
Recent Form (Last 10 Games)
| Team | Last 10 | ATS | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | 4-6 | 3-7 | Inconsistent, relying on role players |
| Pelicans | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | Competitive at home, offense improving |
Golden State recently upset a strong opponent, showing their potential, but overall consistency remains a concern. New Orleans has played more freely in recent games despite their record.
Injury Report
| Team | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Warriors | Stephen Curry | Out – Knee |
| Warriors | Jimmy Butler | Out – Season |
| Warriors | Kristaps Porzingis | Out – Achilles |
| Warriors | Draymond Green | Day-to-day |
| Warriors | De’Anthony Melton | Day-to-day |
| Warriors | Al Horford | Day-to-day |
| Pelicans | Trey Murphy III | Out – Shoulder |
| Pelicans | Yves Missi | Out – Calf |
| Pelicans | Micah Peavy | Out – Toe |
Golden State is missing multiple key players, including Curry, which puts more pressure on the supporting cast.
Key Player Season Stats
Golden State Warriors
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandin Podziemski | 12.1 | 4.8 | 3.7 |
| Moses Moody | 11.7 | 3.3 | 1.5 |
| Draymond Green | 8.4 | 5.7 | 5.1 |
| Team Strength | — | — | Top-5 in assists |
Golden State’s offense now depends on ball movement and three-point shooting rather than star scoring.
New Orleans Pelicans
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | 21.8 | 6.0 | 3.6 |
| Saddiq Bey | 16.7 | 5.8 | 2.5 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 13.2 | 3.7 | 3.1 |
| Derik Queen | 12.3 | 7.3 | 4.1 |
The Pelicans rely heavily on Zion’s scoring and interior presence, along with contributions from role players.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| All-Time Meetings | Warriors lead 46-13 |
| Last Meetings | Warriors won last two |
| Recent Result | Warriors 104-96 (Nov 2025) |
| Trend | Golden State dominance historically |
Golden State has controlled this matchup over the years, including recent meetings.
Betting Trends
- Warriors have won the last two H2H games
- Pelicans allow 120.6 PPG (Bottom-tier defense)
- Combined scoring average: 230+ points
- Last four Warriors games have gone Over
- Pelicans games hit the Over in 40 of 58 matchups
Also see: Most Points Scored in an NBA Game
Best Picks for Warriors vs Pelicans
| Market | Pick |
|---|---|
| Spread | Warriors -1.5 |
| Total | Over 227.5 |
| Player Prop | Zion Williamson Over 23.5 Points (lean) |
| Moneyline | Warriors to Win |
Match Prediction
Golden State enters this game with greater motivation as they continue their push for a postseason spot. While injuries have weakened their lineup, the Warriors’ experience, ball movement, and historical success against New Orleans give them the edge. The Pelicans’ weak defense should allow Golden State to find scoring opportunities, but Zion’s presence should keep the game competitive.
Predicted Score:
Warriors 118 – Pelicans 114
This matchup comes down to motivation versus depth. The Warriors are still fighting for their season, while the Pelicans are playing without much pressure. Expect a close, high-scoring game, but Golden State’s urgency and experience should help them secure the win and cover the small spread.
