MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans ruled star forward Zion Williamson out of their game at Minnesota on Friday with a bruised lower back, two days after he scored 29 points on 12-for-16 shooting with eight rebounds and three steals in a victory over the Timberwolves.
The oft-injured Williamson had a 27-game absence earlier this season to a strained left hamstring and has been sidelined for various reasons on several other occasions. The first overall pick in the 2019 draft has played in only 214 games over his six NBA seasons, including 30 games in 2024-25 for the struggling Pelicans. His first two career triple-doubles have come in the last three weeks. The two-time All-Star is averaging 24.6 points and 28.6 minutes per game.
New Orleans, which is second-to-last in the Western Conference, has also been without key players Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones and Brandon Boston to long-term injuries.
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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) works toward the basket as New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points and seven assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the short-handed Golden State Warriors for a 131-94 win Friday night.
Stephen Curry sat out because of a left ankle sprain and backcourt mate Jimmy Butler became ill earlier in the day. Draymond Green rested, while Jonathan Kuminga missed the game with back soreness.
That left Steve Kerr's starting lineup as Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Will Richard, Gui Santos and Quinten Post.
Kerr was optimistic Curry would play Saturday against the Jazz.
Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 for 20 with three 3-pointers and converted all seven of his free throws for his seventh game in the last nine with 30 or more points — and now three straight. He had 38 points on 13-for-21 shooting with five 3-pointers in the last matchup against the Warriors.
Chet Holmgren contributed 15 points and a season-best 15 rebounds — two off his career high — as Oklahoma City (30-5) won a fourth straight following its first two-game skid of the season.
Richard had 13 points and five rebounds, Al Horford and Moody also scored 13 while Pat Spencer dished out 11 assists against the defending champion Thunder, who had lost their previous two road games but also won 124-112 at Golden State exactly a month earlier on Dec. 2.
Richard's 3-pointer with 7:19 left in the second quarter got Golden State within 38-36 before Oklahoma City answered with a 19-0 run to go ahead 64-45 at halftime.
The Warriors had won two straight, five of six and three in a row at home, where they are in a stretch with 10 of 11 at Chase Center.
Thunder: Visit Phoenix on Sunday.
Warriors: Host Utah on Saturday night to complete a back-to-back.
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Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (15) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) shoots a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) shoots while defended by Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
