Moses Moody's Stellar Performance Secures Victory for Warriors Against Pelicans

Post by : Mara Rahim

On Sunday night, the Golden State Warriors delivered a commanding 124-106 triumph over the New Orleans Pelicans, with Moses Moody emerging as the standout player rather than Stephen Curry. Moody notched an impressive 32 points, featuring a remarkable start where he tied the franchise record by sinking seven three-pointers in the opening quarter. This stellar performance allowed the Warriors to seize control of the game early on.

The match marked James Borrego’s debut as interim head coach of the Pelicans, but it quickly turned into a disappointing experience. The Pelicans’ defense faltered, allowing the Warriors to exploit various openings. Although Curry didn’t find his footing until the third quarter, the Golden State team maintained its confidence and resilience throughout the contest.

Following two phenomenal games in San Antonio where Curry scored 46 and 49 points respectively, the Pelicans dedicated their efforts to containing him. This strategy paid off, as Curry struggled offensively, registering only nine points with 2-for-11 shooting. Nevertheless, Moody rose to the challenge and shouldered the scoring burden effectively.

The Warriors initially found themselves down 6-2, but Moody quickly turned the tide. He launched his first three-pointer just under a minute into the first quarter and continued to rattle off consecutive shots, adding four more threes within the next four minutes to propel the Warriors into a commanding 23-9 lead. By the quarter’s conclusion, he had tallied 21 points.

Moody’s shooting was nothing short of spectacular as he achieved a 7-for-8 mark from beyond the arc in the first quarter. This effort closely trailed Kevin Love’s record for the most three-pointers made in a single quarter, established in 2016. Notably, he joined the ranks of only eight players in NBA history to record seven or more threes in a single quarter, alongside Warriors legends Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Finishing the game, Moody registered eight three-pointers out of 12 attempts and overall shot 10-for-16. His previous record was 30 points in 2022, making this performance a personal best and a key factor in the Warriors’ commanding display.

Contributions from his teammates were also significant. Jimmy Butler III added a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists, expertly managing the flow of play even in Curry’s challenging moments. Brandin Podziemski chipped in with 19 points off the bench, while Buddy Hield provided 11 points. Draymond Green was a defensive stalwart with 10 rebounds, eight points, six assists, and two steals.

On the other side, Trey Murphy III topped the Pelicans with 20 points, supported by Jose Alvarado with 18 points, Jeremiah Fears with 17 points, and Saddiq Bey with 11 points. However, the Pelicans’ efforts were hampered by a poor shooting performance, trailing 44-28 after the first quarter. Despite attempts to recover, they could not narrow the gap to less than four points, marking their fifth consecutive defeat.

The Warriors celebrated their third straight victory while extending their six-game road trip. Moody’s breakout performance underscored the depth of talent within the team and demonstrated that even during a challenging night for Curry, the Warriors are still a formidable force. With Moody continuing to play with such assurance, the Warriors could become even more formidable as the season unfolds.