by No Stephen Curry, no Draymond Green, no Klay Thompson, no Andrew Wiggins meant there was no chance for the Warriors to win on Monday night in New Orleans.
Overwhelmed from the start, the Warriors fell by 10 in the first six minutes and by 24 after 11 minutes, the Warriors absorbing a 128-83 thump against the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center.
Four Warriors (8-10) scored in double digits, led by Jordan Poole with 26 points and Jonathan Kuminga with 18 points.
Overall, that was as bad as the Warriors can look. They had almost twice as many turnovers (27) as they had assists (16).
Here are three observations from four starters who were spotted in street clothes and the fifth, Kevon Looney, only played five minutes:
Warriors play Santa Claus
Christmas may still be 34 days away, but the Warriors didn’t want to wait that long to get in the mood for donations.
On the other hand, they were in New Orleans.
Golden State committed 27 turnovers and gave the Pelicans 31 points, eclipsing the season-high 23 turnovers the Warriors had on their first trip to the Big Easy on Nov. 4.
The Warriors wasted no time in setting a benevolent tone. Seven giveaways in the first quarter, which accounted for nine of the Pelicans’ 35 points in the first 12 minutes.
Almost everyone played along, with rookie Ryan Rollins committing five in 16 minutes and Poole committing four in 27 minutes. Ten players entered the court, and all of Looney committed at least two giveaways
The pelicans, playing almost at full power, needed no help. You got it anyway.
The Flying Lord Kuminga
Given the length, speed and athleticism of the Pelicans, this match seemed like one that suited Kuminga’s best attributes.
And in his second season, the 20-year-old forward managed to show his talents and serve top-class video highlights several times.
The first came in the second minute of play when athletic prodigy Zion Williamson caught a rebound and set sail on a coast-to-coast voyage that was sure to end in a simple bucket. nope Kuminga chased him down and knocked the shot off the backboard.
The second came late in the second quarter when Poole’s 3-point shot ricocheted high off the rim. Kuminga, flying in from the wing, snagged the ball with his right hand and slammed it through, his hand just missing the backboard.
JK finished with 18 points, three rebounds and a few memorable moments.
Why not Wiseman?
While the NBA Golden State Warriors frolicked in New Orleans, James Wiseman slogged away in Salt Lake City with the G League Santa Cruz Warriors.
Given that the Warriors were resting their starters and handing the game to players on and off rotation, it wouldn’t have been illogical to give Wiseman a few NBA minutes.
When asked pregame if there were any thoughts of bringing Wiseman — rookies Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins — to this game — coach Steve Kerr said there wasn’t.
“No, not for tonight. We felt it was very important for him to get a really good practice track in Santa Cruz,” he said. “Practice is the most important thing. When you get individual attention, like the guys in the G League do, it’s easier to make more progress than the stops and starts that happen during the NBA season when you’re not on the rotation.”
RELATED: Kerr thinks the G League will help Wiseman build a foundation
It’s a rational explanation on the surface, but it would be more believable if the Warriors hadn’t called out Santa Cruz rookies Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins Sunday night.
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