Andrew Wiggins and the Golden State Warriors are knocking on the NBA Cup quarterfinals door.
Wiggins dropped a season-high 30 points, keeping the Warriors’ immaculate start in NBA Cup play with a 112-108 escape of the New Orleans Pelicans, Saturday, November 23 (PH Time).
All smiles from Curry as the Warriors win in New Orleans 😃
— ESPN (@espn) November 23, 2024
They'll be the first to clinch a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals with a loss by Denver tonight 👀
For the second straight game, the former no. 1 overall pick led Golden State in scoring and provided an early boost by scoring 13 markers in the first frame.
What a night.
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 23, 2024
Stephen Curry put up an all-around play of 19 markers, seven rebounds and seven assists as the Warriors improved to a West-leading 12-3 mark.
Draymond ?? Stephen
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 23, 2024
📺 @NBCSAuthentic
Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield combined for 23 points off the bench for the Warriors.
The Warriors would not taste their first double-digit lead until midway through the final quarter, as a Trayce-Jackson Davis slam made it a 99-89 cushion.
Stephen wizardry leading to
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 23, 2024
Trayce DUNKING 💪
📺 @NBCSAuthentic
But New Orleans would not go away. Down 110-108, the Pelicans forced a turnover and had a chance to steal the win but Trey Murphy’s triple rimmed out.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was then called for a loose ball foul on Draymond Green, who iced the game with two free-throws in the final 4.1 seconds.
Warriors move to 3-0 in West Group C 💯
— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2024
Would advance to the Knockout Rounds with a Nuggets loss. #EmiratesNBACup
Murphy fired 24 points in a losing effort for the Pelicans, who are still without key starters Zion Williamson (hamstring strain), CJ McCollum (right adductor strain), Dejounte Murray (left hand fracture), Herbert Jones (right shoulder strain), alongside top sixth man Jose Alvarado (left hamstring strain).
Robinson-Earl put up a career-high 19 markers on top 12 rebounds while Brandon Ingram returned after missing his first game this due to a left ankle sprain to score 18 points.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl with a tip at the buzzer puts the Pelicans on top by one at the half. 👀 pic.twitter.com/tKGYSWR60d
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 23, 2024
Brandon Boston Jr. added 16 points off the bench while Javonte Green had 15. With the loss, the Pelicans are rooting for the Denver Nuggets to beat the Dallas Mavericks later to avoid elimination from the tournament.
Brandon Boston with the DOT to Trey
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) November 23, 2024
Golden State will face the San Antonio Spurs (8-8) in a second game of a back-to-back while New Orleans squares off against the Indiana Pacers (6-9).
