NEW ORLEANS (AP) —
Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 34 points in the same game that Zion Williamson returned from a three-game absence, and the New Orleans Pelicans routed the depleted Golden State Warriors 128-83 on Monday night.
Playing one night after winning on the road for the first time this season at Houston, the Warriors scratched Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins from the lineup in New Orleans.
Williamson played 23 minutes in his first game back from a bruised right foot, scoring nine points.
Green said there was no predetermined limit on Williamson’s playing time, which was dictated more by the size of New Orleans’ lead.
Devonte Graham scored 19 for the Pelicans, who took the lead for good less than two minutes into the game. Jonas Valanciunas had 10 points and 13 rebounds, and CJ McCollum scored 15.
Jordan Poole scored 26 for Golden State, which committed 28 turnovers while falling to 1-9 on the road.
The starting lineup for Golden State was usual starting center Kevon Looney, along with forwards Anthony Lamb and Jonathan Kuminga, and guards Donte DiVincenzo and Poole.
Less than nine minutes in, Graham’s 3 as he was fouled gave New Orleans a 26-9 lead. Rookie Dyson Daniels’ finger roll made it 35-11 before the first quarter ended.
Ingram and Poole each scored 20 in the first half, but Ingram had a lot more help, and New Orleans led 65-41 at the break.