The Golden State Warriors will face the New Orleans Pelicans on February 24, 2026 at Smoothie King Center. Motivation and roster status could have a big impact in Western Conference matchups. Golden State is still fighting for a play-in or playoff position, while New Orleans is near the bottom of the standings and has struggled with consistency all season. The Warriors entered the game as slim favorites, but injuries and recent poor form have made it a competitive battle.
Golden State is dealing with repeated absences and relies heavily on role players to step up. Despite these challenges, they have remained motivated and recently scored impressive wins against strong opponents. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are showing signs of improvement offensively, but continue to struggle defensively. This could be a close and interesting matchup as both teams have the ability to push the pace and the recent trend is toward higher point totals. Below is a complete preview including the standings, recent form, injury updates, key player stats, head-to-head stats and best betting picks.
Match information
| match | Golden State Warriors vs New Orleans Pelicans |
|---|---|
| date | February 24, 2026 |
| time | 8pm ET |
| venue | Smoothie King Center, New Orleans |
| tv set | NBC Sports Bay Area, Gulf Coast Sports |
| spread | Warriors -1 to -1.5 |
| over/under | 227.5 |
| money line | Warrior – around 120 |
Current standings and team statistics
| team | record | Win % | PPG | Points allowed | Internet evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 a better overall record and defense, but New Orleans has struggled to stop opponents and ranks among the worst defensive teams.
Recent condition (last 10 games)
| team | Past 10 items | ATS | tendency |
|---|---|---|---|
| warriors | 4-6 | 3-7 | Inconsistent and dependent on role players |
| pelicans | 4-6 | 5-4-1 | Improving competitiveness and offensive power at home |
Golden State has shown potential with recent upsets against tough opponents, but concerns remain about their overall consistency. Despite its record, New Orleans has been playing more freely in recent games.
Reporting an injury
| team | player | situation |
|---|---|---|
| warriors | steph curry | Out – knee |
| warriors | jimmy butler | Out – Season |
| warriors | Kristaps Porzingis | Out – Achilles |
| warriors | draymond green | day to day |
| warriors | DeAnthony Melton | day to day |
| warriors | al horford | day to day |
| pelicans | trey murphy iii | Out – Shoulder |
| pelicans | eve missi | Out – calf |
| pelicans | Micah Peavey | Out – Toe |
Golden State is without several key players, including Curry, which puts even more pressure on the supporting cast.
Season statistics of key players
golden state warriors
| player | point | rebound | assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| brandin podzemski | 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 assists |
Golden State’s offense currently relies more on ball movement and 3-point shooting than star scoring.
new orleans pelicans
| player | point | rebound | assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zion Williamson | 21.8 | 6.0 | 3.6 |
| Sadiq Bey | 16.7 | 5.8 | 2.5 |
| Jeremiah Fears | 13.2 | 3.7 | 3.1 |
| derrick queen | 12.3 | 7.3 | 4.1 |
The Pelicans will rely heavily on Zion’s scoring ability, interior presence, and contribution from role players.
Direct confrontation (H2H)
| category | result |
|---|---|
| Regular meeting | Warriors lead 46-13 |
| last meeting | Warriors won their last two games |
| recent results | Warriors 104-96 (November 2025) |
| tendency | Historical Advantage of the Golden State |
Golden State has controlled this matchup over the years, including the most recent matchup.
Betting trends
- Warriors won in the end Two H2H games
- Pelicans allow 120.6 PPG (bottom defense)
- Overall score average: 230 points or more
- The Warriors’ last four games have been completed. That’s all
- Pelicans game went over 40/58 match up
See also: Most points scored in an NBA game
Best picks for Warriors vs. Pelicans
| market | choose |
|---|---|
| spread | Warriors -1.5 |
| total | 227.5 or higher |
| player prop | Zion Williamson 23.5+ points (lean) |
| money line | warriors to win |
Match prediction
Golden State enters this game with added motivation as they aim to qualify for the postseason. While injuries have weakened the lineup, the Warriors’ experience, ball movement and historic success against New Orleans give them the edge. Golden State will likely be able to find scoring opportunities due to the Pelicans’ weak defense, but Zion’s presence should keep the game competitive.
Expected score:
Warriors 118 – Pelicans 114
This matchup will be determined by motivation and depth. While the Warriors are still playing for the season, the Pelicans are playing without much pressure. A close, high-scoring game is expected, but Golden State’s sense of urgency and experience should help secure the win and cover the small spread.