OAKLAND – A trip to raucous Oracle Arena would represent a daunting challenge for New Orleans regardless of the circumstances, but considering that DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles soreness) and Anthony Davis (knee soreness) won’t be in uniform for the Pelicans – along with Friday starter E’Twaun Moore – it’s even more difficult. New Orleans (33-46) will face the defending Western Conference champion Warriors (league-best 65-14) on Saturday while relying on only nine players, a result of various injuries and the decision to not risk injury to Davis and Cousins.
Despite the odds being stacked heavily against his club, Pelicans second-year head coach Alvin Gentry views Saturday’s game as an opportunity for several of his younger players to gain valuable experience, in one of the NBA’s best environments.