Andrew Wiggins leads Warriors past Pelicans in NBA Cup play

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

NEW ORLEANS — Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points and the Golden State Warriors secured a knockout round spot in the NBA Cup with a 112-108 victory over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Steph Curry scored 19 for the Warriors, who improved to 3-0 in West Group C.

Buddy Hield capped his 12-point performance with two free throws with 18.5 seconds left to help hold New Orleans at bay and ensure Golden State would advance out of group play as a wild card at least, if not the group winner.

Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 24 points but missed a 3-pointer for the lead with 5 seconds remaining — a shot made possible by Brandon Boston Jr’s steal of a Golden State inbound pass.

READ: NBA: Warriors roll past Hawks for fifth straight home win

Golden State’s Draymond Green was fouled as he grabbed the rebound of Murphy’s miss and hit both free throws for the final margin.

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl scored 19 points, Brandon Ingram added 18 and Boston 16 for the Pelicans, who fell to 1-2 in group play and lost for the 10th time in 11 games.

Jordan Hawkins returned from a seven-game absence caused by back soreness and had six points.

Takeaways

Warriors: Depth and balance made a difference for Golden State. Green and Brandin Podziemski each scored 11 points.

Pelicans: With rookie center and first-round draft choice Yves Missi sitting out because of a sore left shoulder, the injury-riddled Pelicans opened the game with their 12th different starting lineup of the season (Elfrid Payton, Daniel Theis, Javonte Green, Ingram and Murphy).

READ: NBA: Clippers hold off Warriors

Key moment

Wiggins made a spin move and tossed in a 13-foot floater while being fouled by Robinson-Earl with 5:13 left. He completed the three-point play to make it 102-94 and the Pelicans got no closer that 110-108 after that.

Key stat

Golden State outrebounded New Orleans 52-42.

Up next

Warriors: Visit San Antonio on Saturday night.

Pelicans: Visit Indiana on Monday night.