The Golden State Warriors got positively decimated by the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
The reigning champions were without Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andrew Wiggins so a loss was expected.
But few people thought they’d be beaten 128-83 by the Pels.
It was a huge, embarrassing defeat for the Dubs, just another road loss, but it did have a few brief moments of greatness.
Jonathan Kuminga got up for the block on Zion 😳
(via @warriors) pic.twitter.com/lNpCY1jZjt
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 22, 2022
For example, Jonathan Kuminga was able to get a huge block against Zion Williamson of the Pelicans.
Considering that Williamson is one of the most powerful, strong, and intimidating offensive players in the league, it’s wild to see Kuminga able to stop him.
Warriors fans loved this moment – but they didn’t love much else about the game.
Warriors Woes Continue
Curry, Thompson, and others were given the night off after back-to-back wins for the Warriors.
This gave the team’s second string a chance to shine.
But they were not shining brightly on Monday night, as the Pelicans had an answer for everything that the Warriors were trying.
Jordan Poole led the way with 26 points, while Kuminga was good for 18.
Then there was Moses Moody with 10 points and JaMycal Green with 10 of his own.
The rest of the team was all in single digits.
Head coach Steve Kerr wasn’t expecting a huge night from his team on Monday and he was instead allowing the lesser-known unit players to get some time on the floor.
This could be good in the long run, giving them the chance to feel cohesive as a team and know how to play with one another.
It’s a good thing that Kerr’s team had a game like this early in the season because Monday night’s clobbering would look so much worse closer to the playoffs.
NEXT: Steve Kerr Gets Real About The Warriors' Problems