As Warriors fall to lowly Pelicans, Jonathan Kuminga shines in historic Hawks debut

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray battles Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer (61) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) (Matthew Hinton/Associated Press)

NEW ORLEANS - The undermanned Golden State Warriors didn't bring their matinee magic to Smoothie King Center.

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With Stephen Curry (runner's knee) out an eighth straight game Tuesday and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) out a second straight game, the Warriors limped to a 113-109 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. That after beating the Denver Nuggets without the duo Sunday afternoon via 21-of-52 shooting from 3-point range at Chase Center. 

Meanwhile in Atlanta, Jonathan Kuminga made his much anticipated debut after Golden State dealt him and Buddy Hield on Feb. 5 for Porzingis. Kuminga supplied a season-high 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists off the bench in a 119-98 win over the Wizards. He became the first Hawks player to debut with more than 25 points in fewer than 30 minutes (24:37).

Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga (0) and Washington Wizards head coach Brian Keefe, right, react during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard) (Colin Hubbard/Associated Press)

The Warriors didn't fare as well in their matchup against a lottery team, shooting 11 of 45 from 3-point range with 21 turnovers that turned into 18 opposing points. De'Anthony Melton scored a team-high 28 as Moses Moody added 24 points and Brandin Podziemski posted 16 points and 15 rebounds. 

Zion Williamson led New Orleans - down standout wing Trey Murphy III - with 26 points. 

The short-handed Warriors (30-28) couldn't cultivate the offensive rhythm they had against Denver, trailing 46-39 at halftime while shooting 31.3%. Melton had three of their six first-half threes, including two in an opening quarter during which the Pelicans used their size and length to uncork a 17-3 run.

Williamson had nine of his 13 first-half points in the first 12 minutes, helping New Orleans to 18 first-quarter points in the paint. Golden State better walled off the rim with a zone defense and a tighter shell to win the second quarter 20-15.

The Pelicans (17-42) settled for three after three amid 5-of-24 first-half shooting.

Golden State settled its third-quarter offense opposite its physical defense. Moody scored 10 third-quarter points and the Warriors took a momentary lead, but it was vanquished in part by a 9-4 run with which the Pelicans closed.

Williamson provided separation in what started as a seesaw fourth with four attacks of the basket for scores. Melton helped the Warriors whittle a 10-point deficit to three down the stretch but Dejounte Murray had a driving two with 1:04 to play - preceding two straight Pelicans stops. 

Golden State next plays Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Pelicans 113, Warriors 109

FGFTRebGOLDEN STATEMinM-AM-AO-TAPFPTSMoody34:007-136-82-53524Santos39:206-132-24-124515Green31:375-110-03-76211Melton28:118-219-110-43428Spencer23:072-70-01-2415Podziemski31:527-181-25-153116Post22:553-70-03-9116Richard17:280-00-01-2010Payton II11:302-70-02-3214Totals240:0040-9718-2321-592621109

Percentages: FG .412, FT .783.

3-Point Goals: 11-45, .244 (Moody 4-10, Melton 3-10, Green 1-3, Santos 1-4, Spencer 1-4, Podziemski 1-6, Payton II 0-4, Post 0-4).

Team Rebounds: 9. Team Turnovers: 1.

Blocked Shots: 6 (Santos 3, Green 2, Post).

Turnovers: 20 (Santos 6, Melton 3, Podziemski 3, Spencer 3, Post 2, Green, Moody, Payton II).

Steals: 8 (Podziemski 2, Richard 2, Santos 2, Melton, Spencer).

Technical Fouls: None.

FGFTRebNEW ORLEANSMinM-AM-AO-TAPFPTSBey30:496-135-53-61018Williamson33:1111-213-55-60326Jordan22:232-32-33-8256Jones30:511-82-20-3345Murray24:485-112-20-23213Poole22:474-111-11-63112Fears21:063-101-21-3508McGowens18:223-50-01-4007Matkovic18:124-61-24-81210Queen17:314-130-13-7228Totals240:0043-10117-2321-532019113

Percentages: FG .426, FT .739.

3-Point Goals: 10-40, .250 (Poole 3-10, Williamson 1-1, Fears 1-3, Matkovic 1-3, McGowens 1-3, Murray 1-4, Bey 1-6, Jones 1-7, Queen 0-3).

Team Rebounds: 6. Team Turnovers: None.

Blocked Shots: 9 (Matkovic 3, Jordan 2, Jones, McGowens, Queen, Williamson).

Turnovers: 17 (Murray 5, Bey 4, Fears 2, Poole 2, Jordan, Matkovic, Queen, Williamson).

Steals: 12 (Jones 5, Williamson 2, Fears, Jordan, Matkovic, McGowens, Murray).

Technical Fouls: None.

Golden State19203337-109New Orleans31153136-113

A_16,481 (16,867). T_2:23.

This article originally published at As Warriors fall to lowly Pelicans, Jonathan Kuminga shines in historic Hawks debut.

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