Photo credit: @warriors

By: Ana Kieu

The Golden State Warriors had hoped to make it six wins in a row just moments before their game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night. They did just that.

The Warriors’ starting five featured Stephen Curry, Jacob Evans, Draymond Green, Alfonzo McKinnie, and DeMarcus Cousins. The Warriors were well-aware that it was go time in the Big Easy.

It was a low scoring first quarter. The Pelicans were up 6-5 with 5:50 left in the first. However, DeMarcus Cousins threw down a dunk to score two points and lift the Warriors to a 7-5 lead with 5:47 left in the first. Both teams battled it out in the first, but New Orleans held a 19-18 lead at the end of the first. Meanwhile, Golden State received bad news as Steph Curry suffered a mild right foot sprain and didn’t return to the hardwood Tuesday.

Both teams proceeded to battle it out in the second quarter. Jacob Evans made a notable steal and ran down the court to make a layup, but it was unsuccessful. Though, Jonas Jerebko was at the right place at the right time and finished around the basket for a sweet layup with 7:33 left in the second. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans 38-37 in the second and tied the game 56-56 at the end of the first half.

The game shifted in favor of the Warriors in the third quarter. Jacob Evans went coast to coast in his first career start as a shooting guard. Evans was drafted 28th overall by the Warriors in the 2018 NBA Draft. Evans played college basketball at Cincinnati from 2015-18.

Anyways, DeMarcus Cousins scored his 12,000th career point. Cousins made a two-point bucket to help the Warriors get out of a tie and move ahead 71-69 with 5:47 left in the third. Cousins has been playing pro basketball since 2010.

The Warriors got their first double digit lead of the game 95-85 with 9:50 left in the fourth quarter. Also, Damion Lee hit a three-pointer and upped his season point total to 17 with 8:25 left in the fourth.

Quinn Cook caught the attention of a lot of folks when he threw a shot that went off the window. Cook expanded the Warriors’ lead to 107-94 with 4:12 left in the fourth.

Both teams scored 24 points apiece in the fourth, but the Warriors came out on top for the 112-103 win.

DeMarcus Cousins led the Warrriors with 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block. Damion Lee had 20 points, seven rebounds, and one steal. Quinn Cook had 19 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Jacob Evans had 11 points, five rebounds, three steals, two assists, and two blocks. Alfonzo McKinnie had 10 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Jordan Bell had 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Jonas Jerebko had seven points, three assists, and two rebounds. Marcus Derrickson had five points and three rebounds. Steph Curry had five points. Kevon Looney had four points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Draymond Green had six rebounds and two assists. Shaun Livingston added 3 rebounds.

The Warriors wrap up the regular season against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 5:00 pm PT.