With a much more consequential matchup on deck Wednesday, New Orleans treated Sunday’s regular season finale more like a preseason game or dress rehearsal. Pelicans starters Jaxson Hayes and CJ McCollum played sparingly, while other regulars rested and didn’t play at all. The result was a Golden State commanding victory, with the Warriors building a 20-point halftime advantage and never being seriously threatened on the scoreboard after that.
Ninth-seeded New Orleans will begin preparations for Wednesday’s play-in tournament opener against No. 10 San Antonio, in an elimination game for both teams.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Jordan Poole swished a three-pointer from the right wing, giving Golden State an 81-52 lead early in the third quarter.