What we learned when Draymond shut down Zion in the Warriors' win

What we learned as Draymond shut out Zion in the Warriors' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

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SAN FRANCISCO – Buddy Hield overcame a slow start to score 21 points as part of Golden State's balanced offense that had six players in double figures in a 104-89 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Chase Center on Wednesday.

Hield missed five of his first six shots before finding his rhythm and leading the Dubs to their second win in two nights against the Pelicans, who were without Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones and CJ McCollum on Wednesday.

Draymond Green scored 14 points with three 3-pointers and six assists, while Pelicans forward Zion Williamson made just 5 of 20 shots with some lockdown defense.

Jonathan Kuminga scored 16 points coming off the bench, Kyle Anderson had 10 and Brandin Podziemski had 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists shortly after the Warriors announced they would exercise the option year on his contract.

Things could get better soon too.

Injured star Stephen Curry is expected to be re-evaluated for his ankle injury on Friday. Andrew Wiggins, who also missed the last two games, practiced before Tuesday's game and is getting closer to making a comeback.

Golden State was more than able to hold its position with both starters out. In the two games against an also undermanned New Orleans team, the Warriors outscored the Pelicans 124-106.

The Warriors, who had gotten off to slow starts in each of their first four games, were much sharper and more efficient in the first half on Tuesday.

Green scored eight points in the first half while Kyle Anderson hit on all three of his shot attempts, helping Golden State build a 12-point lead. Just before the halftime siren, Hield hit a 26-foot 3-pointer to give the Warriors a 48-45 lead.

After Hield and Jackson-Davis combined for 15 points in the third quarter to extend the Warriors' lead to 79-66, Golden State survived a small run and held on for the win.

The Warriors now face a five-game road trip with stops in Houston, Washington, Boston, Cleveland and Oklahoma City.

Here are the takeaways from Wednesday's game:

Lindy's first start

Waters had a big game on Tuesday and Warriors coach Steve Kerr rewarded him with a start on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old shooting guard wasn't as active on offense as he had been 24 hours earlier, scoring three points and three assists on 1-for-5 shooting before the end.

It was just the second start of Waters' career, the other coming during his rookie season in 2022 with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

More smoothness from TJD

Jackson-Davis appeared much more relaxed and at ease with his role in Kerr's offense, once again showing why he is one of the Warriors' most promising young players.

TJD, who didn't miss a single shot in Golden State's first two games (11-on-11), once again flirted with perfection, finishing 7 of 9 and providing two assists.

KThe greatest challenge of error

Kerr has been quite successful on challenging calls this season, as he has wiped out four calls against his team. All of them involved Green, and none were bigger than Kerr's coaching challenge on Wednesday.

Green was whistled for a foul while trying to block a shot from Williamson with 1:13 left in the second quarter. Green – who had already committed two fouls – immediately signaled to Kerr to appeal the decision, and after a few moments, the Warriors coach called for a replay, but the decision was overturned.

Had Kerr not challenged, he likely would have had to limit Green's playing time in the second half.

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