SAN FRANCISCO >> Without Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins and De’Anthony Melton, the Warriors’ depth had a chance to prove that this roster is built to withstand absences like the organization believes.

It took a roundabout way for them to get there, but they showed there’s merit to that theory.

After falling behind by 20 points early in the game, the Warriors settled in and won the middle quarters 73 to 48. Buddy Hield scored 25 of his team-high 28 points in the second half. Brandin Podziemski (19 points, five assists, three rebounds) played an excellent floor game. Lindy Waters III dropped 21 points in 30 bench minutes, hauling in a career-high nine boards. And Jonathan Kuminga, who came off the bench, chipped in 17 points, three rebounds and three assists, providing thump in the second half.

“I’m grateful for what I have so I can’t be greedy and have a bad attitude coming in — whether I get playing time or not,” Waters said postgame. “I’m going to be the same person everyday.”

Golden State’s defense forced the Pelicans into difficult shots — which Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson often made — and a myriad of live-ball turnovers. Golden State logged 14 steals and forced 22 turnovers overall while only committing eight of their own, dominating the possession game.

As five Warriors (3-1) finished in double figures, the Pelicans were far too predictable. Ingram and Williamson combined for 61 points, but no other Pelican scored more than seven points. Golden State’s depth won out in a 124-106 victory — the team’s first win at Chase Center this year.

The Pelicans were also missing guard Dejounte Murray and wing Trey Murphy III, so the both teams were depleted. But one was much deeper.

Golden State started Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis, notably bringing Kuminga off the bench.

“It wasn’t my decision,” Kuminga said postgame when asked if he cared about his removal from the starting unit. “It was the man himself, Coach Steve Kerr’s decision. It wasn’t my decision.”

The Warriors’ starters looked stout defensively, particularly Moody guarding Brandon Ingram, but fell into a quick hole anyway. Kuminga, upon checking in, provided four quick points, cutting New Orleans’ early lead to 18-14.

Without Curry, Golden State started 5-for-23 from the field and 2-for-13 from behind the arc.