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Kendra AndrewsESPN
NEW ORLEANS – The Golden State Warriors finished off a five-game losing ground ride Friday night in New Orleans, falling to the Pelicans 114-105.
The Warriors dropped all six of their games on the road, the first time they had done so since the 1997-98 season. They are the first defending champion to start 0-6 on the road in NBA history, according to ESPN Statistics and Information Research. Their 3-7 aggregate record marks the fifth time the defending champions have started a season with this record or worse.
After his team lost to the Orlando Magic one night earlier, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he was planning to change his rotation, with bench minutes being one of the biggest problems for Golden State. Double that after losing on Friday.
“We’re going to change our courses a little bit,” Kerr said. “I have an idea of what I want to do.” “Employees will talk about that in the next couple of days and reinforce that.”
with Stephen CurryAnd the Klay ThompsonAnd the Andrew Wiggins And the Draymond Green All against the Pelicans due to injury management, Kerr had to rely on his younger players while also getting the chance to try different combinations and formations.
He began Moses Modi Together with the normal starter kevon looneySixth man Jordan Paul And a two-way player Anthony Lamb. Jonathan Kuminga He finished the top five despite playing in only two of Golden State’s previous five games.
Cominga’s night — 19 points on 7 of 12 shots, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in 38 minutes — was strong enough for Kerr to mention by name when repeating his adaptive plan to move the spin forward when all the starters are active.
“It was obvious who really played tonight. [Kuminga] “He played really well,” Kerr said. “He gained a few minutes…He showed tonight that he’s ready to go into the rotation and contribute. But that has to be every night…Being able to play on tough nights when minutes aren’t there.”
Kerr previously said Kuminga was not happy with the lack of playing time, and Friday Kuminga said it was a challenge.
But now that he’s got a chance to remind Kerr and the coaches what he’s adding to the team, he’s ready to take advantage of that.
“[I’m] “I work hard every day to make sure I build everything into my game,” Cominga said. It’s not perfect, but knowing that I gave everything on earth, I’ll keep building… harder on myself than anyone else.”
Kerr also mentioned Lamb, Moody, and T Jerome As players who are impacted against the Pelicans, they can see more minutes.