SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 24 points, had 10 assists and grabbed eight rebounds and the Golden State Warriors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 104-96 on Saturday.
The Warriors advanced despite playing without Stephen Curry, who injured his left quadriceps in a home loss to Houston on Wednesday night.
Zion Williamson scored 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting and seven rebounds, and Saddiq Bey added 21 points to lead New Orleans. Jeremiah Fiers had 16 points and six rebounds before being ejected with 44.6 seconds left after picking up a second technical foul.
Jonathan Kuminga hit back-to-back 3-pointers midway through the fourth quarter to finish with 10 points after returning from a seven-game absence with tendonitis in both knees. He received a warm ovation when he first entered the game, at 7:40 of the first quarter, and scored moments later.
Brandin Podziemski finished with 15 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Gary Payton II scored 12 of his 19 first-half points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Golden State notched just its second win in six games, including a 124-106 loss in New Orleans on Nov. 16.
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