Brandin Podziemski’s fourth-quarter surge steadies shorthanded Warriors
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The Golden State Warriors, juggling lineup changes for most of the season, found a late spark Sunday night when rookie guard Brandin Podziemski dominated the final period of a home game against the Denver Nuggets.
With Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porziņģis all unavailable, Podziemski delivered 15 points and eight rebounds in the fourth quarter, hitting every one of his six shots. The outburst came after he had missed nine of his first 10 attempts.
“Everything feels slow motion,” Podziemski said postgame. “The goal is to always try to find that. The great players do that.”
The 2023 first-round pick has reached double figures in scoring in five consecutive contests while Curry recovers, providing a measure of consistency amid an uneven campaign marked by fluctuating minutes and outside scrutiny.
Coach Kerr sees long-term value
Head coach Steve Kerr called Podziemski’s season “up and down,” mirroring the Warriors’ overall performance, but noted the guard’s consistently strong plus-minus numbers over the past two seasons.
Kerr also highlighted the 6-foot-4 guard’s rebounding instincts—traits that caught the staff’s attention when he was at Santa Clara and proved decisive against Denver.
Golden State continues to seek stability with several veterans sidelined, yet Podziemski’s versatility has emerged as a key part of the club’s short-term solution.
Source: Hoops Wire
