Kevon Looney Returns to Chase Center: A Warrior Comes Home in a Different Jersey
For the first time in his NBA career, Kevon Looney walked into Chase Center wearing the colors of the opposing team. And yet, when his name was announced, the cheers echoed like it was 2018 all over again. Because for Warriors fans, Looney isn’t just another former player - he’s part of the fabric of a dynasty.
After spending a full decade with Golden State, Looney made his return to the Bay Area on Saturday night, this time as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. It was his first game against the Warriors - a surreal full-circle moment for a player who embodied the grit and glue of one of the NBA’s most dominant runs.
A Decade of Impact in the Bay
Looney’s impact in Golden State wasn’t always flashy, but it was foundational. While Steph Curry and Klay Thompson lit up the scoreboard from deep and Draymond Green set the defensive tone, Looney held down the middle with toughness, intelligence, and a selfless approach that championship teams are built on.
Three titles. Countless big moments.
And a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable role players in the postseason. Looney didn’t just play for the Warriors - he fit the Warriors.
He understood their system, their stars, and their standard.
So when he took the floor Saturday night as a Pelican, it wasn’t just another game. It was a homecoming.
A Warm Welcome Back
The Warriors made sure to honor their longtime center the right way. Before tipoff, the team played a tribute video chronicling Looney’s journey - from a young rookie finding his footing to a battle-tested veteran anchoring the paint in the playoffs. The fans responded with a standing ovation, a moment of appreciation for a player who gave everything he had to the franchise.
Gary Payton II, who shared the court with Looney during his own time with the Warriors, summed it up best after the game.
“Loon was the heart and soul of this team for 10 years,” Payton said. “The Bay loves him.
It’s where he started. The city knows, the community knows what Looney means to this town.
Just give him his flowers - that’s what he deserves.”
A New Chapter in New Orleans
Looney’s new chapter in New Orleans has been anything but smooth. The Pelicans are off to a brutal 3-18 start, sitting near the bottom of the league standings. It’s a far cry from the championship culture he left behind in Golden State, and the road ahead looks steep for a team that’s struggling to find its identity.
Individually, Looney’s numbers have taken a dip as well. Through 10 games and six starts, he’s averaging just 2.6 points per game - his lowest mark since his second year in the league - along with 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists. It’s been a tough adjustment, both in terms of role and results.
But if there’s one thing Warriors fans know about Kevon Looney, it’s that he’s never been defined by the box score. He’s defined by effort, resilience, and doing the little things that don’t always make the highlight reel - but win games.
Forever a Warrior
No matter where his career takes him next, Looney’s legacy in Golden State is secure. He was there for the highs, the battles, and the banners. He played through injuries, took on whatever role the team needed, and did it all with professionalism and poise.
Saturday night wasn’t just a reunion - it was a reminder. A reminder of how much Looney meant to the Warriors, and how much the Bay still appreciates him.
He may wear a different jersey now, but in the hearts of Warriors fans, Kevon Looney will always be one of their own.