The Warriors couldn’t beat the Timberwolves two days ago with a fully healthy squad.
But without Stephen Curry (knee) and Klay Thompson and Draymond Green — who got ejected less than two minutes into the game — the Warriors challenged Minnesota until the final seconds.
Rookie Brandin Podziemski (23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) stepped up as an unexpected hero, logging 39 impressive minutes, to galvanize an impressive effort.
Mike Conley’s corner 3 with 8.6 seconds left, though, gave the Timberwolves a two-possession lead to ice a highly competitive fourth quarter.
With the 104-101 defeat, the Warriors (6-6) have lost four straight games. They’re 1-1 in In-Season Tournament group play and may have to play more upcoming games without Green, who was at the center of the first-quarter scuffle.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
Finally, 20+ point scorers!
The Warriors played 11 games before Tuesday. Curry was their only player to score more than 20 points in any of them.
That’s hard to do.
Andrew Wiggins’ offensive start to the season has been abysmal (he entered the Minnesota rematch shooting 15% from 3). Klay Thompson hadn’t yet had a vintage shooting performance. Chris Paul has been facilitating well, but isn’t going to be a dominant scorer at this stage in his career. Dario Saric had the non-Curry high in a game with 20 points in Oklahoma City.
The Warriors desperately need someone to step up to support Curry.
Brandin Podziemski, step right up.
The rookie point guard became the first Warriors not named Curry to score more than 20 points. To get over 20 points, he drove to his off-hand and finished over three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert for an and-1. That gave Golden State a 95-94 lead; these weren’t empty stats.
Then Podziemski found Saric for an above-the-break 3, giving the stretch four 21 points on the night. A two-for-one special.
Podziemski and Saric: just as everyone expected.
Turn up the AirPodz
When asked about rookie Brandin Podziemski pregame, Steve Kerr described the guard from Santa Clara as “cocky.” He wasn’t making an effort to humble a braggadocious youngster, but rather compliment his demeanor.
In the NBA, Kerr explained, you need to think you’re the best. To know you’re the best. To have confidence, even if you’re unproven. That could be cocky or brash, but it’s often necessary.
Podziemski certainly looked confident on the court Tuesday, in his first extended opportunity in the regular season.
In his first 10 minutes, Podziemski scored nine points and was a +10. Without Curry and Thompson, he delivered scoring and playmaking both from the 3-point line and in the paint with crafty floaters.
Podziemski started the second half with a spin and lefty flip shot, then a coast-to-coast scoop finish with his right on the left side of the hoop. He ended the third quarter with an absurd fadeaway 3-pointer from the corner to beat the buzzer.
One play in the second quarter was particularly impressive, even though it didn’t make the stat sheet. On the right wing, he tried to enter a pass to Dario Saric in the high post, but the power forward was getting fronted. So Podziemski motioned for Kevon Looney to come up from the opposite block to the free throw line, creating a passing lane. Looney took Podziemski’s entry and immediately bounced a touch pass to Saric for an and-1 layup.
In the Warriors’ system of ball and player movement, that moment displayed great understanding and feel.
Podziemski looks polished enough to play a role. Perhaps Kerr can get him a four or five minute stretch in first halves to see if his shot’s falling and operate from there. He won’t play great every night, but the Warriors could use extra scoring off the bench wherever they can find it.
How will the league handle the Draymond Green altercation?
From any angle of any video showing the mini brawl that broke out less than two minutes into the game, Green will face the harshest penalty.
Green came out of the play to put Gobert in a choke hold. He didn’t appear to be trying to defuse the tension or create peace, but rather took the scrum as an opportunity to antagonize Gobert.
Green was immediately assessed a Flagrant 2 foul, which carries an automatic ejection. There was clearly excessive and unnecessary contact.
What happens next in such a situation will come at the sole discretion of commissioner Adam Silver. Green will almost certainly have to pay a fine, and could very well serve a suspension.
Silver could try to make an example out of Green and point to the incident as the type of behavior the league won’t accept. Last postseason, Green got suspended for one game for stepping on Domantas Sabonis’ chest, and the league cited his history as a “repeat offender.” That qualifier certainly hasn’t vanished since then.
It wouldn’t be at all surprising if Green got suspended for at least two games. Thompson and McDaniels shouldn’t be suspended at all.
The good news for the Warriors is that it appeared both Green and Thompson appeared to immediately leave the court after getting ejected. Also, no players came off the bench to join the brawl, which would have earned anyone automatic suspensions.
