New Orleans Pelicans usher in new era against Golden State Warriors, red-hot Stephen Curry

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Pelicans will tip off a new era on Nov 16 (Nov 17, Singapore time), as they face the Golden State Warriors in their first game under interim head coach James Borrego.

On Nov 15, the franchise fired Willie Green, who guided the team to a 150-190 overall record across five seasons since taking over in 2021.

The Pelicans began the 2025-26 National Basketball Association (NBA) campaign with an abysmal 2-10 record. Now, Borrego will attempt to turn things around.

Borrego served as the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets from 2018 to 2022. He also had a brief stint as interim head coach of the Orlando Magic in 2015. He joined the Pelicans in 2023 as an associate head coach. His record as head coach is 148-183.

The American, 48, may have some additional help, as star forward Zion Williamson (hamstring) has been upgraded to questionable for the Nov 16 game.

The two-time All-Star has been sidelined since Nov 2 with a hamstring injury. In five games this season, the 25-year-old has averaged 22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

The Pelicans will look to snap a losing streak that extended to four games following a 118-104 home defeat by the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov 14. Trey Murphy III would be key after scoring a game-high 35 points in the loss.

“Just being aggressive,” Murphy said, per nola.com. “Also, a lot of film work. Just knowing defences and knowing tendencies and also my teammates finding me in transition.”

For the Warriors, Stephen Curry appears to be fully healthy again after sitting out three games due to illness.

Fresh off 46- and 49-point performances, he will look to extend Golden State’s winning streak to a season-high three games when they visit the Pelicans.

Curry was not at his best when he initially returned from absence on Nov 11, making just four of 13 shots in a 126-102 road loss to the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder.

But the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player regained his rhythm as the Warriors swept a pair of games against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Curry capped his performance on Nov 14 by sinking a pair of free throws with 6.4 seconds left in Golden State’s 109-108 road victory over the Spurs. That came moments after fans in San Antonio did their best to distract him, prompting Curry to playfully mock their gestures.

“I’m aware of everything,” said the 37-year-old. “It’s pretty fun. You have to find something to take the nerves out and for me, that’s just embracing the moment, smiling and having a good time.”

Curry has recorded 44 games of 40-or-more points after turning 30 years old, matching Hall of Famer Michael Jordan for the most in NBA history.

“That’s pretty cool, just from an individual accomplishment perspective,” he added. “To be able to be in that company and longevity is something that I pride myself on. So that was pretty cool.”

Also on Nov 16, key contributors returning to the line-up could help the Chicago Bulls bounce back from a four-game losing streak as they head to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz.

Both Josh Giddey (sprained right ankle) and Coby White (strained right calf) are expected back on the court. Giddey is listed as probable against the Jazz and White is listed as questionable.

For Chicago, getting back two players critical to their success might be enough to erase the struggles that came on the heels of a strong start to the season. The Bulls are certainly eager to not let a four-game skid grow into a much larger problem.

“We’ve got to come into games with the right mindset,” Bulls guard Kevin Huerter told the Chicago Sun-Times on Nov 14. “Our identity is playing fast, playing physical (and) wearing teams out.” REUTERS