Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 113-109 on Tuesday night.
De’Anthony Melton led the Warriors with a season-high 28 points, four rebounds, and three assists. He shot 8-of-21 from the field and 3-of-10 from three-point range. More importantly, he addressed his physical condition and whether he can play back-to-backs going forward.
What Melton Said About Playing Back-to-Backs
GettyDe’Anthony Melton of the Golden State Warriors.
Melton was asked if he feels ready to play both games of a back-to-back.
“I feel good. I feel solid,” Melton said. “Taking it day by day, see how tomorrow holds up. See how my body holds up and just keep checking along. Most definitely. There were conversations about this one (back-to-back), but we kind of err on the side of the minute increase and seeing how that felt on me. Definitely can’t wait to finally get out there just to compete with my guys on both days.”
Melton has not played both games of a back-to-back this season. He is still managing his recovery from ACL surgery in December 2024. The Warriors have been cautious with his workload, gradually increasing his minutes while monitoring how his body responds.
Head coach Steve Kerr said he will discuss the possibility of Melton playing back-to-backs with vice president of player health and performance Rick Celebrini. The Warriors have multiple back-to-backs remaining in March. If Melton can prove he is ready, it would give Golden State more flexibility with its rotation.
Melton was also asked if he feels back to 100 percent compared to two years ago. “I want to say not necessarily back to 100%, but I’m working there,” Melton said. “It’s a long journey and days pile up, so you just got to continue to work.”
That honest assessment reflects where Melton is in his recovery. He is not fully healed. But he is getting closer. And his production on the court suggests he is trending in the right direction.
How Melton Performed Against the Pelicans
Melton carried the Warriors’ offense for stretches Tuesday night.
He led Golden State with six points in the first quarter and 13 points in the fourth quarter. Attacking the rim aggressively, he drew nine free throws. He also threw down a rim-rocking dunk that cut the Pelicans’ lead to two with 9:28 remaining.
“Felt great,” Melton said of the dunk. “A lot of frustration went into that dunk. There was a lot of chirping going on out there, so I wanted to put a lot into that dunk.”
Melton has been excellent over his last four games. He is averaging 26 minutes, 20.8 points, and shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range during that stretch. His ability to attack the basket and create offense has been critical for a Warriors team missing Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Kristaps Porzingis.
Kerr praised Melton after the game. “It’s really fun to see him performing at this level after being out for a couple years,” Kerr told reporters. “He’s such a great guy, such a fantastic teammate. Hell of a player, and I’m really happy for him that he’s healthy and playing at a high level.”
What the Loss Means for the Warriors
The Warriors fell to 30-28 with the loss.
Golden State struggled offensively without its stars. The team shot 41.2 percent from the field and 24.4 percent (11-of-45) from three-point range. The Warriors also committed 20 turnovers, which made it nearly impossible to win on the road against a Pelicans team that was desperate for a victory.
Moses Moody was efficient with 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 7-of-13 shooting. Brandin Podziemski recorded his second consecutive double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Draymond Green finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
But the Warriors lacked offensive polish. The Pelicans sagged off Green defensively, daring him to shoot. Golden State could not generate enough clean looks without Curry’s gravity.
Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 26 points. The Pelicans are 17-42 and sit in 14th place in the Western Conference.
Final Word for the Warriors
De’Anthony Melton scored a season-high 28 points in the Warriors’ loss to the Pelicans.
He is not back to 100 percent physically. But he is trending in the right direction. His ability to attack the basket and create offense has been critical for a Warriors team missing its top three players.
Melton has not played both games of a back-to-back this season. That could change soon. He said he feels ready to compete on both days. The Warriors will need him to be available as often as possible down the stretch.
Golden State is 30-28 and sits in eighth place in the Western Conference. The loss to New Orleans was a missed opportunity. The Warriors face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in the second game of the back-to-back. Melton will sit out. But his performance Tuesday showed he is becoming a player the Warriors can rely on.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
More Heavy on Warriors
Loading more stories
