NEW ORLEANS • Stephen Curry continued his explosive start to the season, scoring 53 points to lead the undefeated Golden State Warriors to a 134-120 win over New Orleans on Saturday.
The Pelicans had no answer to Curry's swagger as the reigning National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player picked up right where he left off last season.
His 118 points in the first three games is the most since Michael Jordan bagged 118 in 1989.
It was the third straight NBA win for the Warriors and the third consecutive double-digit loss for the Pelicans, who were playing their home opener at the Smoothie King Center.
"When nights like tonight happen, you find shots and they keep going in," Curry said. "I was just trying to be aggressive, was able to get in the paint a good amount, knock down some threes and keep them honest, and kind of open the game up. So it was really fun."
Two of the Warriors' wins have come against New Orleans, including a 111-95 season-opening victory on Tuesday in which Curry scored 40 points, including 24 in the first quarter.
He scored 28 points in the third quarter on Saturday, helping the Warriors convert a 64-65 half-time deficit into a 105-91 lead.
He was 10 of 13 from the field in the quarter. He even added a rare four-point play that gave Golden State a 105-89 lead.
"That was pretty impressive," Warriors interim coach Luke Walton said of the guard's performance. "I don't think from the coaching seat you get to enjoy it as much (as) the other people in the arena."
Draymond Green scored 21 points, Klay Thompson 19 and Harrison Barnes 11 for the Warriors.
Anthony Davis rebounded from a sluggish start to lead the Pelicans with 26 points and 15 rebounds.
Jrue Holiday scored 22 points, Ryan Anderson 19 and Toney Douglas 17 for New Orleans, who are 0-3 for the first time since 2004.
"I just think we have to do a better job all together," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. "I thought we were very stagnant offensively, and we were better defensively doing what we practise every day."
Elsewhere, Derrick Favors scored 18 points to lead six Utah players in double figures, and the Jazz outscored the Indiana Pacers 55-27 during the second half en route to a 97-76 win.
In Washington, Carmelo Anthony carried New York with 37 points as the Knicks defeated the Wizards 117-110.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
