Brandin Podziemski longed to play basketball. The Golden State Warriors were without Podziemski, as a right abdominal strain kept him sidelined from Dec. 28 until Thursday evening. “He’s simply a solid player and appears very fresh and powerful,” head coach Steve Kerr remarked on Saturday. “He put in a tremendous effort throughout his rehabilitation and the time off, which he loathed, but he accomplished a great deal, and he seems primed to truly excel.” Podziemski came back on Thursday after missing 12 games to aid the Warriors in defeating the Chicago Bulls with 10 points and four rebounds in 21 minutes. In the defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, he recorded 17 points and five assists, boasting a team-high plus-9 in 24 minutes.
As a secondary ballhandler and physical defender who also serves as an energetic team protector, he has brought the Warriors the energy and pace they’ve missed during their 30-game (10-20) slump. Warriors guard Stephen Curry stated after the defeat to the Lakers, “His energy and confidence are fantastic, and we need to show for it on a night like this.” “He performed exceptionally.” Podziemski had overcome his sluggish start to the season as he struggled with a dismal 10-for-54 (18.5%) from 3-point range in his initial 15 games – before re-injuring the strain versus the Phoenix Suns while shooting 40.4% (21-for-52) from beyond the arc in Golden State’s prior 15 games. His shooting ability enhanced his rebounding (4.4 per game), speed, and facilitating passes (3.2 assists).
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“Never experienced anything like this,” Podziemski stated on Thursday night. He mentioned earlier this month that the injury necessitated intense rehabilitation, which involved modifying his on-court gait. “Mentally, and simply the journey you need to undertake to return, I’ve never experienced it, so everything has felt totally unfamiliar to me.” “As a competitor, your goal is to participate as often as possible.” An All-Rookie first-team member last year, Podziemski mentioned he felt “around 70, 75%” following his game against the Bulls, during which he made two 3-pointers, a pull-up midrange jumper, and a layup in transition. He also took an offensive foul, having topped the NBA last season with 38 charges taken.
“Getting out there was definitely enjoyable, and it felt great to sweat and play again with the guys,” remarked Podziemski, who is currently sixth this season (13) in charges drawn. Against the Lakers, Podziemski initiated fastbreaks, maneuvered around ball screens, and positioned himself for jumpers off the ball – additionally making 3 of 6 attempts from 3-point range. Curry added: “He consistently plays with intensity.” He executes the correct move. Links specific lineups. Accelerates the tempo when he possesses the ball during transitions, and it appears he has gained significantly more confidence in his shooting.
In line with Curry’s observation, Podziemski has a 42.6% shooting rate from beyond the arc over the last 17 games, scoring an average of 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals during that time. The positive update is that the abdominal strain did not disrupt his rhythm. “His performance resembles Brandin’s,” teammate Gary Payton II noted Saturday about his teammate’s rapid comeback to form. “Keep removing the rust and returning to what he excels at.”
