OAKLAND –- After the pregame pomp and pageantry, the unveiling of the banner and presentation of the biggest rings known to mankind, the Warriors went right to work. And they kept working.
There would be no championship ceremony hangover for this team, not as long as Steph Curry was on the floor to open the game.
“We’ve got Stephen Curry,” Shaun Livingston bragged after the reigning MVP engineered a 111-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans in the season opener for both teams Tuesday night at Oracle Arena.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Curry scored 40 points – 24 in a spectacular first quarter – to blow away any post-celebration lethargy that might have derailed the Warriors.
“Steph Curry is unbelievable,” interim coach Luke Walton said. “He really is. He makes the game seem easy out there. He gets his teammates easy shots and he’s competing on defense.
“And, yeah, I think we came out a little off . . . there were a couple mental lapses we had early. Steph kind of carried us through that and then everybody kind of got going and we did what we do so well.”
[RATTO: Fish out of water Walton redefining himself as head coach]
Golden State Warriors
With his teammates starting slowly, Curry did what MVPs do. He took it upon himself to carry the club until others did just enough to ensure victory. His point total was higher than that of the next three Warriors – Festus Ezeli (13), Andrew Bogut (12), Draymond Green (10) – combined.
And while Curry was 11-of-18 in the first half, the rest of the Warriors were 12-of-31. For the game: Curry 14-of-26, teammates 27-of-70.
“I wouldn’t say it was easy,” Curry said, “but coach (Steve) Kerr and coach Luke Walton are people who have been in this situation before. They warned us before and we tried to turn the pace quickly once the lights came back on. We were pretty focused and tried to make the simple play early. Shots went in and we didn’t look back.”
Curry’s most reliable support came from the big men, as staring center Andrew Bogut and backup Festus Ezeli combined for 25 points (on 12-of-16 shooting), nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
[RELATED: Bogut takes blow to head, exits Warriors opener early]
It was to hold off the Pelicans, making their debut under new coach Alvin Gentry, who spent last season as an associate head coach to Kerr with the Warriors. Another factor was the team-oriented defensive effort, led by Green, which kept New Orleans star Anthony Davis under control. He finished with 18 points but missed 16 of his 20 shots.
The Warriors, particularly those not named Curry, were not at their best. Harrison Barnes missed his first seven shots and finished 3-of-12, as did Green. Klay Thompson scored nine points on 3-of-8 shooting – and committed seven of the team’s 20 turnovers.
“We need to play better, and we will play better,” Curry said.
The fourth quarter was completely forgettable, as the Warriors missed 17 of their 23 shots. The starters didn’t play much in the quarter but combined to go 0-for-11.
“Our conditioning still needs to get better,” Walton said. “We looked like we were getting a little tired and sloppy out there in the fourth quarter. Twenty turnovers, we’d probably like to cut down on that.”
Those rough edges didn’t hurt as much against a New Orleans team without three of its starters. Center Omer Asik, forward Quincy Pondexter and guard Jrue Holiday all missed the game, as did sixth man and potential starter Tyreke Evans.
The Warriors clearly were relieved to escape with a victory, no matter the aesthetics. It’s often hard for championship teams to generate their sharp edge in the wake of emotional pregame ceremony.
“This night was about the rings,” reserve guard Shaun Livingston said. “But to get that win, it feels a lot better taking the rings home.”
For that, the Warriors surely know whom to thank: That dude Curry.