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Brandin Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot against the Denver Nuggets.
The Golden State Warriors didn’t just survive without their stars Sunday night — they followed the voice of a 22-year-old guard who has spent much of the season under a microscope.
Podziemski Delivers Statement Performance in Warriors’ Upset Win
Brandin Podziemski, the brash third-year guard who drew backlash earlier this season for suggesting he could one day be better than Stephen Curry, backed up his confidence in a 128–117 upset of the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night at Chase Center.
With Golden State severely shorthanded, Podziemski authored one of the best all-around performances of his young career — finishing with 18 points, a career-high 15 rebounds and nine assists, narrowly missing his first NBA triple-double. He logged nearly 37 minutes and posted a game-high plus-19, steadying a team that desperately needed a focal point.
“He was brilliant and we needed it,” head coach Steve Kerr said.
Warriors Win Without Their Stars
The performance came under extraordinary circumstances.
Golden State was without Curry, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Draymond Green — leaving Podziemski as the de facto engine against a Nuggets team led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokić.
It was a moment tailor-made to test whether Podziemski’s confidence bordered on arrogance — or belief.
For one night, at least, the answer was clear.
Fourth-Quarter Takeover Silences Doubts
Podziemski’s box score didn’t hint at what was coming.
He entered the fourth quarter with just three points on 1-of-10 shooting, struggling to find his rhythm as Denver erased a nine-point Golden State lead. But when the game tightened, Podziemski flipped the switch.
He scored 15 points in the fourth quarter alone, shooting a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, and spearheaded a 15–0 Warriors run over the final seven minutes. Big shot after big shot fell — pull-ups, finishes through contact, confident jumpers that never hesitated.
What began as a grind turned into one of Golden State’s most impressive wins of the season.
Confidence That Raised Eyebrows — and Expectations
Earlier this season, Podziemski made headlines with comments that didn’t sit well with everyone around the league.
In an interview with The Athletic, he openly discussed his belief that he could one day carry the franchise forward when the Curry-Green era ends.
“When they leave this thing, they’ve got to leave it with somebody,” Podziemski said at the time. “How can I have their trust? And they can go to [owner] Joe [Lacob] and [general manager] Mike [Dunleavy] and be like, ‘Hey, we want to leave it with him.’”
Those words were dissected, mocked, and remembered — especially during stretches when Podziemski struggled to find consistency in his third NBA season.
Sunday night didn’t erase those ups and downs. But it reframed the conversation.
Kerr Sees the Long View
Kerr has remained one of Podziemski’s most vocal supporters, even during uneven stretches.
“It’s been up and down for sure,” said Kerr of Podziemski. “But our season has been up and down as a whole. Sometimes the team’s struggles impact the individuals.”
Kerr emphasized that Podziemski’s rebounding instincts and anticipation were what initially attracted the organization to him coming out of Santa Clara — traits that were on full display against Denver.
“He’s a very versatile player,” Kerr said. “The rebounding is what attracted us to him in the first place. He has great anticipation. It’s about finding that sweet spot — making plays without dominating the ball.”
That balance, Kerr noted, is Podziemski’s next step.
“When he moves the ball and then gets it back, it’s totally different,” Kerr said. “The defense is closing out. He can use that leverage to get past people, make a pass, score a layup. He’s a really unique player — but he’s still finding his way.”
A Night That Changes the Tone
For a Warriors team grasping for identity amid injuries and transition, Sunday offered a glimpse of something else: a young guard unafraid of the moment, willing to shoulder responsibility, and confident enough to believe he belongs there.
Whether that confidence proves prophetic remains to be seen.
But against a championship contender, on a night when Golden State had no margin for error, Podziemski played like someone ready to be heard — not just quoted.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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