Warriors' 51-point rout of Pelicans sets new season record for margin of victory

Golden State Warriors fans saw their team assert dominance in the most extreme way possible on Monday night, as the franchise dismantled the New Orleans Pelicans by a 51-point margin. The 138-87 final score represents the largest victory by any team in the NBA this season and stands as the fourth-largest win in Golden State history. For the Pelicans, the defeat marks the largest loss in their franchise history.

The blowout was fueled by a balanced offensive effort from the Warriors. Stephen Curry scored 25 points, shooting 6 for 10 from the field and 4 for 7 from beyond the arc. Brandin Podziemski also finished with 25 points, while Yaxel Lendeborg contributed 23 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. De'Anthony Melton added 16 points, and Derik Queen provided 16 points off the bench. Charles Bassey recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. This marked the second time this season Golden State had three players score at least 20 points.

Curry’s performance also moved him up the all-time scoring chart. With his 25 points, he surpassed DeMar DeRozan’s career total of 26,800 to claim 16th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 26,803 points. This came just two days after Curry scored 41 points in an overtime victory against Orlando on Saturday.

The Warriors controlled the game from the opening tip. New Orleans struggled to find rhythm, shooting just 7 of 23 from the field and missing 10 of 12 three-point attempts in the first quarter. Golden State built a 35-20 lead by the end of the first period. The gap widened to 23 points early in the second quarter after Podziemski scored four consecutive points. At halftime, the Pelicans trailed 72-43.

The Pelicans entered the game without key starters. Zion Williamson rested following a 139-123 loss to the Clippers on Sunday, and Trey Murphy III sat out to manage knee issues after scoring 26 points in Los Angeles. Derik Queen led New Orleans with 16 points, while Dejounte Murray added 12. The team fell to its third straight defeat, ending a four-game winning streak.

A light moment emerged on the sidelines involving injured guard Jimmy Butler. Butler, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee scheduled for surgery in February, dressed in the coaching staff’s quarter-zips and sweaters. He held a clipboard with the words "PASS TO STEPH" written on it. Coach Steve Kerr said he had suggested to assistant coach Khalid Robinson that Butler should dress like the staff one day, but he was surprised when Butler actually did it. Kerr noted that Butler acted the part by calling out team fouls, though he also realized Butler was mocking the coaching staff.

Lendeborg, who traded jerseys with Pelicans guard Jordan Poole after the game, offered a blunt assessment of Butler’s sideline coaching. He said he learned only one thing: give the ball to Stephen Curry. Lendeborg also noted that Butler had threatened to get a technical foul against the Warriors, but did not do so. The Warriors have now won eight straight games after starting the season 0-3, the second-longest winning streak in NBA history following such a start. The only longer streak came from the 2006-07 Mavericks, who won 12 straight after a 0-4 start.