The Warriors are on the brink of securing their spot in the play-in tournament, unless a highly improbable scenario unfolds where they lose all their remaining games and the Pelicans win all of theirs.
Stephen Curry, who has been sidelined for 21 games due to runner’s knee syndrome, is set to make his comeback by the end of March. During his absence, the Warriors have struggled, posting a 5-16 record.
While some might see this as a setback for the team's championship hopes, head coach Steve Kerr views it as a golden opportunity for young point guard Brandin Podziemski to grow.
Kerr highlighted the benefits of this challenging period for Podziemski, saying, “It’s a great experience for Brandin. Going 20 games without Steph has shown he can contribute to winning. He’s been trying new things, and while not everything has worked, it’s a crucial part of his development.”
Kerr further explained that Podziemski excels when playing off Curry, in more of a secondary ball-handler role. “He does things others don’t.
He’s got a knack. But when he tries to do too much on the ball, that’s when he runs into trouble.”
This phase is all about exploration for Podziemski, as he navigates his role on the team and balances personal growth with team needs. Over the last 21 games, he’s averaged 14.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, shooting 42.0% from the field and 32.0% from beyond the arc. This is a noticeable improvement from his earlier season averages of 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists when Curry was on the court.
Kerr described this as a “complex and interesting” time in Podziemski’s career, underscoring the importance of embracing this learning curve.
As the team prepares to reassess Curry’s status upon their return home for Wednesday’s game against the Nets, all eyes will be on how Podziemski adapts to playing off-ball. This will be a true test of whether his growth during Curry’s absence translates into more precise and effective play, beyond just the numbers on the box score.