When the Warriors brought Brandon Williams in on a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum deal in August, they were hoping for exactly this kind of spark. On Sunday against the L.A. Clippers, he gave them a burst of speed, scoring punch and control that fit the job Golden State had in mind.
Williams finished with 17 points, three rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes, repeatedly turning the corner and getting downhill before the Clippers could really contain him. His quickness and burst around the rim stood out, and Golden State kept leaning on that energy with Stephen Curry on the bench.
The efficiency was just as important as the activity. Williams shot 7-of-11 from the field and knocked down two of his three attempts from deep, while committing only one turnover. That matters because the one area that still draws questions is his outside shot, and he helped quiet that a bit with a clean night from beyond the arc.
Golden State scored 124 points while shooting better than 53% from the floor. That came on the heels of the previous Sunday, when Curry sat in Phoenix and the Warriors still managed 122 points, though that one ended in a loss after Devin Booker scored 43 of the Suns’ 131 points.
Even with the result different, the bigger picture is encouraging for Golden State. The offense has held up without Curry, and while rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg has been the main reason for that, Williams has done his part in a way that looks well beyond a minimum contract.
What stands out most is how Williams is playing like a guard who knows every minute matters. He went unsigned deep into free agency before settling for the non-guaranteed deal, and his approach reflects that reality. He attacks, but he doesn’t look reckless.
The finishing touch is real. Williams has been getting to the rim at a pace that’s tough for most defenders to handle, and he’s doing it with soft touch once he gets there. He’s also up to 35% from three on nearly three attempts per game, which isn’t eye-popping but is enough to make defenses pay attention if it holds.
How he fits once Jimmy Butler returns is still an open question, but for now, the Warriors have gotten exactly what they needed. In Curry’s absence, and on nights when the offense needs a jolt, Williams has already looked like a home-run signing.
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Jonathan Kuminga Is Finally Getting A Chance Warriors Fans Wanted
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For Warriors fans who spent years wanting to see more of that freedom, it is at least a reminder of what Kuminga can look like when the offense is built around his aggression. Minnesota has dropped its last three games without Edwards, so the stakes around Kumingas expanded role are real, even if the bigger question is whether this stretch turns into something more lasting once the lineup gets healthy again. [Read more 🡒]
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But the price tag is what makes this one tricky. Markkanens contract is a real hurdle, and Utah is expected to demand a meaningful haul in return, which means any deal would likely require Golden State to part with a mix of players and draft capital. There are scenarios being discussed, but for now it remains one of those big-name possibilities that could reshape the roster or simply stay in the category of expensive what-ifs. [Read more 🡒]
Jimmy Butler Just Added To Warriors Fans Luka Enjoyment
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Butler then shared an AI-generated video on social media that playfully cast Curry as a martial arts master, turning the on-court exchange into a bit of online theater. The post picked up plenty of attention soon after the game, giving Warriors fans another reason to savor a win that already had the kind of edge and star power that tends to linger well beyond the final buzzer. [Read more 🡒]