20-Point Lead Not Enough Against Warriors

Chrissy Smith • March 29, 2023

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Despite solid play by Brandon Ingram and his supporting cast, the New Orleans Pelicans blew a 20-point lead to the Golden State Warriors and dropped an important matchup, 120-109, on Tuesday, March 28. The Pelicans are now in eighth place in the Western Conference standings.

The Pelicans were knocking down shots in the first and second quarters, and despite 10 turnovers, New Orleans looked in control. But then Draymond Green entered the scene in the second quarter, getting into a tussle with Brandon Ingram where both players were given a technical.

Just minutes later, Green committed an offensive foul on Herb Jones. While Jones was on the ground trying to get up, it looked like Green tried to kick Jones under the basket. However, Green was not charged with a flagrant, even after multiple reviews.

The Pelicans were leading 63-46 at halftime, but the third quarter started out with an 8-0 run by the Warriors. In that same quarter, C.J. McCollum shoved Donte Divencenzo with two hands and was called for a flagrant 1. The Pels never bounced back after that.

Ingram was the leading scorer for the Pels with 26, Trey Murphy ended with 17 points, McCollum had 15 points, Herb Jones had 13 points, including three big three-pointers, and Jonas Valanciunas ended up with 11 points.

The Pelicans will play at the Denver Nuggets on Thursday at 9 pm CST in another big game.

Follow me on Twitter @SportsChrissy.

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Pelicans @ Nuggets Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • October 30, 2025

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Celtics @ Pelicans Takeaways

By Chrissy Smith • October 28, 2025

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