Pat Spencer Keeps Making His Case - Now It’s Up to the Warriors to Listen
SAN FRANCISCO - When Pat Spencer strolled up to the podium at Warriors Media Day, rocking a No. 61 jersey and a black undershirt, you could feel the room do a double take. The twist? He technically wasn’t even on the roster yet.
That moment - equal parts awkward and endearing - captured the strange energy of the Warriors’ offseason. But not long after, the team made it official: Spencer was back on a two-way contract.
It’s familiar territory for Spencer, who’s spent the past two seasons proving he’s more than just a G League standout. The Warriors even bumped him up to a standard contract at the end of last season for the playoffs. But when this season tipped off, Spencer was once again on the outside of the 15-man roster looking in.
Still, if you ask Steve Kerr, there’s no doubt where Spencer belongs.
“Pat’s an NBA player,” Kerr said after the Warriors’ 124-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. “He belongs on our roster full-time.”
Spencer feels the same way - but he’s not letting the contract situation get in the way of the work.
“Yeah, it’s tough,” Spencer admitted. “Just compete every night, I’ll let them handle that.
That’s something I and the front office will have conversations about. I can only control the day-to-day right now.
Ultimately, I feel like I’ve shown I can play at this level at a really high level and impact winning.”
That mindset - stay ready, stay steady - paid off in a big way Tuesday night.
Spencer Sparks the Comeback
The Warriors nearly pulled off a statement comeback against the defending champion Thunder, who came in riding a 21-1 record. And right in the middle of that surge? Pat Spencer, playing like a man who refuses to be overlooked.
Spencer tied his career high with 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting - and 15 of those came in the second half. He was the engine behind a third-quarter explosion that saw the Warriors match their entire first-half point total in just 12 minutes.
Nine of those third-quarter points came from Spencer, who looked like he was playing a solo game of H-O-R-S-E against one of the league’s best defenses. He added six more in the fourth, including a trio of go-ahead buckets.
The last one? A spinning, fading turnaround over 7-footer Chet Holmgren that had the Chase Center crowd on its feet.
“Oh, night and day,” Spencer said, when asked about his growth as a shooter compared to last season.
It’s not just the shot-making that stands out. It’s the poise, the confidence, and the ability to impact winning - even in limited minutes. And that’s exactly what makes Spencer’s situation so tricky.
The 50-Game Limit Looms
Spencer’s on a two-way deal, which means he can only be active for 50 games. He’s already been active for 22 of the Warriors’ first 22 games - nearly halfway to the cap. That clock is ticking, and it could mean Spencer finds himself inactive as soon as Thursday in Philadelphia.
That timing isn’t random. De’Anthony Melton is set to make his season debut after recovering from ACL surgery. He hasn’t played since mid-November, but his return adds another guard to a suddenly crowded Warriors backcourt.
And Spencer wasn’t the only one making noise Tuesday night.
Seth Curry Returns - And Delivers
With Steph Curry sidelined by a quad contusion and watching from a Chase Center suite, his younger brother Seth made his Warriors debut - and wasted no time reminding everyone he can still shoot the lights out.
Seth dropped 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting in just 18 minutes off the bench. It was smooth, efficient, and exactly the kind of floor-spacing the Warriors have been missing.
“It felt normal. It felt natural,” Seth said after playing his first NBA game since April.
With Steph expected to rejoin the team next week - potentially for the Dec. 12 matchup against the Timberwolves - the Warriors are about to have a full arsenal of guards at their disposal.
A Good Problem to Have - Or a Complicated One?
Here’s the math: Spencer, Steph, Seth, Melton, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II, and rookie Will Richard. That’s nine guards - and only so many minutes to go around.
Technically, Spencer is the odd man out. But based on performance? He’s right in the mix.
What Spencer brings - energy, defense, tempo, and now, scoring - is something the Warriors need. Especially in games like Tuesday, when the team needed a spark and he delivered.
Kerr has never shied away from running three-guard or even four-guard lineups. Payton’s a power forward in a guard’s frame.
Moody can slide up to the wing. Hield and Richard have the size to play the three.
There’s flexibility here - and that’s going to matter as the rotation tightens and matchups dictate minutes.
Trade Deadline Decisions Ahead
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline two months away, Golden State is entering a stretch where roster clarity will be critical. Help is arriving, but that also means some tough calls are coming.
Spencer’s situation is a microcosm of the bigger picture. He’s played like he belongs. Now the Warriors have to decide how - or if - they can make room for him long-term.
Because if Tuesday night was any indication, Spencer’s not just filling a spot. He’s helping win games.