Pat Spencer’s Fourth-Quarter Surge Highlights Warriors’ Win in Cleveland
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The Golden State Warriors turned to two-way guard Pat Spencer for his first NBA start on Saturday in Cleveland, and the former lacrosse standout responded with a career-best performance that steadied a depleted roster.
Playing at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the 27-year-old logged 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and just a single turnover in a 118-113 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Spencer was plus-nine in 27 minutes and poured in 12 points in the fourth quarter, including consecutive three-pointers after the Cavaliers trimmed the deficit to five. He later knocked down the free throws that secured the five-point margin and waved to the crowd as time expired.
“We’ve seen his competitiveness,” head coach Steve Kerr told reporters postgame. “He’s really improved his jumper. He’s never going to be Steph, but he’s a threat out there.”
Spencer entered the night averaging 16.5 points over his previous two outings, production that earned him the starting nod while Golden State dealt with a short bench. Over the three-game stretch, he has shot with notable efficiency and added secondary playmaking alongside veterans Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.
The Maryland native’s route to the NBA is among the league’s most unconventional. Spencer was an all-time lacrosse great at Loyola University Maryland, then played one season of college basketball at Northwestern before joining the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors. Golden State signed him to a two-way contract, converted it for playoff eligibility last spring and brought him back on a fresh two-way deal this fall.
With the Warriors’ standard roster already at the 15-player limit, Kerr acknowledged that continued production from Spencer could force front-office decisions down the line. “It’s fun to watch someone who has had to fight for everything finally get his moment,” the coach said.
Source: Hoops Wire
