TITLE: Podziemski Sparks Fourth-Quarter Rally as Warriors Juggle Injuries and Lineup Changes
SLUG: podziemski-late-surge-warriors-injuries-porzingis-moody-curry
CONTENT:
Brandin Podziemski shouldered the scoring load Sunday in Denver, pouring in 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds during the fourth quarter to help Golden State stay close without Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis.
The third-year guard hit all six of his shots in the final 12 minutes after opening the night 1-for-10. “Everything felt so slow,” Podziemski said of the late surge. “The goal is to always try to find that. The great players do that.”
Podziemski has reached double figures in five straight outings while Curry recovers from a left runner’s knee injury. Head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the guard’s uneven season but noted his consistent impact on the box score. “For the last couple years, he’s been one of our highest plus/minus players,” Kerr said. “The rebounding is what attracted us to him coming out of Santa Clara.”
Porzingis Sits Out With Illness
Golden State acquired Porzingis from Atlanta at the trade deadline, hoping his size could counter opponents such as Nikola Jokić. Instead, an illness kept the 7-foot-3 center at the team hotel Sunday. “I just got a text this morning that he was sick,” Kerr told reporters. “He’s pretty sick.” Green was also scratched roughly 20 minutes before tipoff with lower back soreness.
Moody’s Two-Way Impact Grows
With the frontcourt shorthanded, Moses Moody delivered 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists against the Nuggets. Since Jan. 1, the third-year wing is averaging 13.1 points per game. “Moses has been brilliant for six weeks,” Kerr said, citing Moody’s perimeter defense and “lights-out” shooting.
Curry Awaits Reevaluation
Curry has been sidelined since Jan. 30 and will be reevaluated on March 1. The two-time MVP called the uncertainty “frustrating” but emphasized the priority of being healthy for a potential play-in or playoff run. “We just want to get in a playoff series and have a chance,” he said.
Source: Hoops Rumors
