‘Phenomenal’ Brandin Podziemski lifts depleted Warriors to win vs. Nuggets

SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski couldn’t buy a bucket Sunday through the first three quarters.Then, quite literally, he couldn’t miss in the fourth quarter of a wild 128-117 comeback win for the extremely short-handed Warriors against the Denver Nuggets.Podziemski found his flow state in the fourth quarter. Every shot he put up trickled through the net, no matter the type or where they came from on the floor. He made a tip shot, a driving layup, a deep floater, a pull-up jumper and two 3-pointers. Each shot became more crucial, and the further the Warriors went into the fourth quarter, the more in control Podziemski felt. “Just everything feels slow motion,” Podziemski said of feeling the flow state throughout the fourth quarter. “I think those last two threes that I took, everything felt so slow. Really, just the last three jump shots I had felt really slow, in slow motion. The goal is to always find that. “The great players do. That’s really what it felt like.” Technically, Podziemski could buy a bucket in the first three quarters – one, to be exact. Podziemski entered the fourth quarter, in which the Warriors trailed by six points, with three points on 1-of-10 shooting. He was 1 of 5 beyond the arc and had more turnovers (two) than made shots (one). What happened next was something nobody from the outside could have predicted, and it was exactly what a Warriors team without Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis needed against one of the NBA’s best teams. Podziemski caught fire and nobody was able to extinguish his hot streak. 2 with the dagger&commat;Chase || Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/dgkPxv70AI — Golden State Warriors (&commat;warriors) February 23, 2026 Playing the entire fourth quarter, Podziemski scored 15 of the Warriors’ 33 points. He was a perfect 6 of 6 from the field, made both of his 3-point attempts and his only free throw. Scoring also wasn’t the lone spot Podziemski contributed. The third-year pro in the fourth quarter grabbed eight of the Warriors’ 13 rebounds and was one of four players to dish two assists over the final 12 minutes. His imprint was all over one of the best wins of the Warriors’ season. DUBS WIN pic.twitter.com/9ep8eny0Fu — Golden State Warriors (&commat;warriors) February 22, 2026 Along with his phenomenal fourth quarter, Podziemski finished one assist shy of a triple-double with 18 points, season-high 15 rebounds and nine assists.“Oh, it was phenomenal,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I think he had eight rebounds in the [fourth] quarter. Hit a couple big shots, he was brilliant. And we needed it, because obviously in the third quarter, they took it to us. But we felt good about our chance to make another run in the fourth.” The Warriors came out cash money from long distance, making nine threes in the first quarter and another six in the second. They had a 33-point advantage from 3-point range at halftime, but then went ice-cold in the third quarter. Once ahead by 14 points, the Warriors with five minutes remaining in the third quarter saw their lead vanish for the first time all game. The Warriors missed all 13 of their threes in the third quarter and were outscored 34-19. But on their second offensive possession, Podziemski converted a three-point play. Lying on the floor, Podziemski threw his arms up in recognition to finally seeing a shot go down, and the home crowd was loving it. AND-ONEEEE #NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/0hOlBpkMCv — Golden State Warriors (&commat;warriors) February 22, 2026 Sometimes, all it takes is that first one to get the ball rolling in the right direction. “Man, he was very assertive in the fourth quarter and made some really tough shots. I think his assertiveness, that’s the biggest thing that I take away from him,” Al Horford said. “A lot of times for a guy like him, when you come in as a guard and there’s so many different roles that are being asked of you to play and do, people don’t realize that game to game he has to shift the way that he’s thinking, the things that he’s doing.“Tonight, it was very clear minded, especially in the fourth.”Kerr and his coaching staff have been pushing for Podziemski to find the sweet spot of making plays but not dominating the ball. Podziemski turns 23 years old Wednesday and wants it all. He wants to be a star, and some of his quotes have caught some flak for a younger player in the league. He also fits Kerr’s play style when his approach is right. Sunday’s win was a perfect example of the next steps for Podziemski, who is rookie contract extension eligible this upcoming summer. Podziemski found himself in trouble, but then began getting off the ball early and found it come back to him in better position. Confidence oozed. Swagger was back for a depleted team that had lacked juice, and Podziemski was the one squeezing it out of his team and sipping the rewards it brought. Playing nearly two decades in the NBA has provided a lifetime of experiences for Horford. He has seen it all, including every personality and play style. To Horford, there isn’t a comparison to be made for Podziemski. “BP is one of one,” Horford said. “I can’t really think of anybody like that. The way that he’s able to attack the basket, he looks for the floaters, he will take the 3-point shot. Just doing a lot of different things. I just think he’s very unique, so it’s hard for me to compare him to anyone.” The last Warrior to have at least 18 points and 15 rebounds off the bench was Corey Maggette in 2009. Podziemski is just the second Warrior in the play-by-play era to have 15 points and eight rebounds in the fourth quarter, joining Antawn Jamison, who last did so in 2001. Only eight players ever in the play-by-play era have recorded those numbers in any quarter as a reserve. In any way possible, the Warriors badly needed a boost. Podziemski, in all his unique ways, was the one who gave them a lift they believe can propel them ahead of a two-game road trip with 25 games remaining in the regular season.Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

‘Phenomenal’ Brandin Podziemski lifts depleted Warriors to win vs. Nuggets

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