Warriors over Pelicans for a perfect home-stand

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (right) drives to the basket against CJ McCollum of the New Orleans Pelicans during Warriors’ 108-99 victory in an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, March 3, 2023.Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

2023.03.03 – Klay Thompson scored 27 points and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer, helping the Golden State Warriors wrap up a perfect home-stand with a 108-99 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

The Warriors went 5-0 on the home-stand despite missing injured star Stephen Curry to strengthen their playoff positioning in the ultra-tight Western Conference. They’re one game behind the Phoenix Suns for fourth place.

“I think just a lot of grit,” coach Steve Kerr said. “Every one of these wins was marked by our team kind of getting over the hump. Overcoming a lot of deficits, turning up the defense and grinding out games down the stretch. It’s been exciting to see our team turn a corner, but we still need to go out and win on the road.”

Jonathan Kuminga added 19 points off the bench to help the Warriors overcome a 17-point deficit in the first half. Golden State rallied from double-digit deficits to win the last four games — the first time they have done that since at least the 1997-98 season.

CJ McCollum scored 25 points and Brandon Ingram added 17 for New Orleans. The Pelicans have lost five of six games as they were outscored 19-6 in the final 4:30.

“They just made plays,” New Orleans coach Willie Green said. “That’s an area that we have to continue to grow and mature. … Those are learning experiences for us. That’s a good team, a championship level team. Those guys know how to win. Our margin for error is small, especially down the stretch like that.”

2023.03.03 – Warriors vs. Pelicans (NBA Video highlights)

Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson (right) drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during Warriors’ 108-99 victory in an NBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, March 3, 2023.Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

2023.03.03 – Warriors vs. Pelicans (NBA Video highlights)

Watch this video on YouTube

2023.03.03 – Warriors vs. Pelicans (NBA Video highlights)

New Orleans led by four points in the fourth quarter before Anthony Lamb and Thompson hit back-to-back 3-pointers with Thompson’s giving Golden State a 95-93 lead with less than four minutes to play.

“I feel like we’ve accomplished a little bit,” center Kevon Looney said. “We’re taking a step in the right direction. We’ve been talking all year about the formula of winning and we haven’t always executed. I think tonight, and just this whole homestand, we did a good job of eliminating our fouls and letting our defense win games.”

Donte DiVincenzo hit another 3 for his first basket of the game and then got an offensive rebound and assist on a dunk by Kuminga to make it 100-96 and Golden State held on from there.

Kuminga’s slam off a DiVincenzo offensive rebound with 2:22 left blew the roof of Chase Center and gave the Warriors the momentum they needed to escape with a win. Kerr called it the play of the game.

“I trust my work when I’m out there,” Kuminga said. “I just keep doing what I have to do, everything I need do do on the floor.”

The 20-year-old – Kuminga – was a force in the paint, going 8-of-11 on two-point attempts. He also used his athleticism to record seven rebounds (three offensive) and four steals. His block of CJ McCollum with 25 seconds left led to a breakaway dunk by Jordan Poole to help seal the game.

“He loves the big moments and it doesn’t matter if he’s been hot or hasn’t made a shot like tonight,” Kerr said about DiVincenzo. “He’s ready for the big one. Between that shot and the offensive board with the pass to JK. He just continues to make huge plays.”

The Warriors once again found themselves in an early hole, falling behind 17-6 in the opening minutes and then by 17 points late in the first quarter.

2023.03.03 – Warriors vs. Pelicans (NBC Sports Post Game)

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga reacts after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

2023.03.03 – Warriors vs. Pelicans (NBC Sports Post Game)

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2023.03.03 – Warriors vs. Pelicans (NBC Sports Post Game)

This marked the fourth straight game they trailed by double-digits in the first half and just like the previous three games they flipped the script.

Golden State rallied back to take a 50-49 lead on a basket by Kuminga late in the half and trailed 57-54 at the break.

CURRY’S RETURN

The Warriors are hoping to get Curry back on the upcoming trip, possibly as soon as Sunday in Los Angeles against the Lakers.

“There’s a chance he’ll play and we’re not going to make a decisions until he gets through tomorrow,” Kerr said.

With Curry and Andrew Wiggins still out, getting Draymond Green back on the court again meant a lot to the Dubs.

The Warriors will face the Lakers, when Curry (lower left leg) could return from an 11-game absence. Their three-game road trip will conclude with match ups against the Thunder (Tuesday) and Grizzlies (Thursday).

2023.03.03 – Warriors vs. Pelicans (Dubs Talk)

Golden State Warriors forward Klay Thompson (center) gets congratulated after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Friday, March 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

2023.03.03 – Warriors vs. Pelicans (Dubs Talk)

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2023.03.03 – Warriors vs. Pelicans (Dubs Talk)

Curry has missed his 11th game with a left leg injury after getting hurt against Dallas on Feb. 4. Golden State is 7-4 in this current stretch and 14-12 on the season without Curry in the lineup.

TIP-INS

Pelicans: C Jonas Valanciunas (left calf) was sidelined for a second straight game. … Swingman Josh Richardson (personal reasons) sat out the game.

Warriors: F Andrew Wiggins sat out a seventh consecutive game while dealing with a family matter and Kerr didn’t know if he would return during the upcoming road trip. … F Andre Iguodala (hip) has been taking part of scrimmages but there is no timeline for his return.