Brandin Podziemski backed up his bold words with a breakout performance.
Days after declaring that he intends to one day inherit the keys to the Golden State Warriors’ offense from Stephen Curry, the third-year guard showcased the kind of poise and production that makes such ambition believable.
Starting in place of Curry, Podziemski led the Warriors with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range. He added eight assists and five rebounds — tying for second on the team — in a 126-116 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Though the Warriors were without Curry, Jimmy Butler, Al Horford and Moses Moody, Podziemski emerged as their most impactful player, finishing with a team-best plus-6 in the plus-minus column.
Kerr Praises Podziemski’s Aggression and Poise
Warriors coach Steve Kerr lauded Podziemski’s assertiveness and rhythm in leading a short-handed lineup.
“He was great,” Kerr told reporters. “He’s been really aggressive throughout camp. I know he didn’t score particularly well in the first two games, but this is more like what he’s looked like in practice and scrimmages — super aggressive, very confident with his shot, moving the ball.”
Kerr said the performance reflected Podziemski’s natural feel and tempo.
“He just has a good feel and a good flow, a good pace to his game,” Kerr added. “He was definitely aggressive and playing at a high level. I think he knew without Steph and Jimmy, he needed to be more aggressive.”
Podziemski spearheaded a Warriors rally in the third quarter that trimmed a 17-point deficit to five. He scored 14 points in the period, adding three assists and a steal during the surge that brought the visiting team to life.
Stepping Into the Leadership Role
Getty Brandin Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Stephen Curry after scoring a fastbreak.
After the game, Podziemski said his approach was to read the moment and elevate his play in the absence of the team’s veteran stars.
“Just have an understanding of who’s out, who I’ve got on the floor with me, what I’ve got to do as a point guard to make sure everybody gets their touches — but also play within myself,” he told reporters. “I think I did a good job of evenly distributing the load throughout the guys I was out there with.”
Podziemski’s blend of scoring, control, and leadership is precisely what he envisions long term — a future where Curry and the Warriors’ aging core eventually pass the torch to him.
“When they leave this thing, they’ve got to leave it with somebody,” Podziemski told The Athletic earlier this month. “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. He’s going to continue what we’re leaving.’”
He acknowledged that leadership requires more than just skill. “There are a lot of other things than just talent that you need to be in that position,” he said.
Warriors’ Future on Display
Warriors owner Joe Lacob has called Podziemski a “future All-Star,” while Kerr often refers to him as the team’s “connector” — a player whose instincts and decision-making tie everything together.
“I want to be a third option for this team,” Podziemski said. “I want to be a guy where Steph and Jimmy are out, like they can rely on me to help win games.”
On Sunday night, he did exactly that — proving that his confidence isn’t misplaced and that his vision for the Warriors’ future may not be so far-fetched after all.
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