Pat Spencer's journey with the Golden State Warriors has been one of the more uplifting narratives this season. However, the 29-year-old guard might soon find himself sidelined after another lineup change in Monday night's game against the Utah Jazz.
Spencer initially stepped up as a starter following Stephen Curry's knee injury but was soon replaced by Brandin Podziemski. While Podziemski's rise wasn't unexpected, Spencer's recent demotion behind LJ Cryer caught many off guard.
Warriors' Strategic Shift: Cryer Over Spencer
In Monday's matchup, it was Cryer who took over for Podziemski midway through the first quarter. Cryer's sharpshooting has clearly left a mark on Steve Kerr and the coaching staff, especially after his strong performance against the Houston Rockets last week.
Cryer logged nearly 17 minutes against the Jazz, standing out as one of the team's key contributors despite missing a couple of open corner threes. He wrapped up the game with 11 points, shooting 4-of-9 from the field and 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, along with five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. His +8 rating during his time on the court underscores his impact, building on his positive contributions against the Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder.
On the flip side, Spencer saw his minutes dwindle to under 13-the least since Curry's injury in late January against the Pistons. He struggled to make an impact, missing all four of his field-goal attempts and failing to score in the tight 119-116 loss.
A Pivotal Moment for Pat Spencer
Spencer's recent performances have been underwhelming, with only one double-digit scoring game in the last nine outings. His shooting percentages have dipped to 36.8% from the field and 25% from three-point range. Coupled with his defensive challenges, it's becoming harder for Kerr to justify his minutes, even with Curry sidelined.
Spencer's NBA career could be hanging in the balance. Although his two-way contract was upgraded to a standard deal just before the All-Star break, he faced a similar situation last season, eventually reverting to a two-way contract at the start of this campaign.
As Spencer enters his third season, the Warriors might be cautious about offering him another two-way deal next year, especially when Cryer showcases a specialized skill set that warrants further exploration.
While Spencer might still get opportunities depending on Curry's recovery, finding himself behind Cryer is undoubtedly a setback he'd hoped to avoid.