SAN FRANCISCO — In the grand scheme of things, Wednesday’s win over the Sacramento Kings in the final game of the California Classic probably didn’t mean much for the Warriors other than the fact that it gave them a chance to hoist the inaugural Mitch Richmond Trophy.
But it was important enough that Golden State coach Anthony Vereen brought on Summer League veterans Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis in the game’s final minutes. Warriors win 91-90 At Chase Center.
First, Vereen needed the pair’s help to stem the tide after the Kings cut a 16-point deficit to 88-84 with two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Podziemski and Jackson-Davis will have the opportunity to hone their game-closing skills, which Vereen believes will be crucial for the future of both players and the Warriors as a whole.
“It’s invaluable to the team to have those two guys practice at the end of the game, see how they feel, impact a win and make a winning play,” Vereen said, praising the conditioning of both players. “It’s a tough thing to do when you’re away from the team, come back and gel, but I thought they did a good job of it.”
“In the end, we came out with the win and they got some valuable practice at the end of the game.”
This will be the first time Podziemski and Jackson-Davis have played in the California Classic this season. Before Wednesday’s match at the Waterfront Arena, they played for the U.S. national team in Las Vegas and helped the U.S. men’s basketball team prepare for the Olympic Games in Paris.
It’s no surprise to Podziemski that he gave it his all in a game that had little impact. Since joining the Warriors with the 19th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the kid has been a nonstop ball of rage every time he steps on the court.
“It’s fun to play in these games,” Podziemski said after scoring 15 points and having four assists against the Kings. “There’s a lot of guys out there trying to get contracts, so you just try to do your best. From a competitive standpoint, that’s all you can ask for. It was good to play against them.”
“To be there when it matters most in the game is what you want. Coming out from the bench I don’t care if I’m a starter or whatever. Being entrusted with the ball late in the game and being a leader is what I want.”
Podziemski arguably did all that and more against the Kings, continuing a trend that began in his rookie season.
“That’s part of the criteria we gave him,” Vereen said. “How do we inspire other guys and make them want to play with us? I know you’re trying to play hard and make the right plays, but how do you get other guys involved and make them want to play with you?”
Jackson-Davis, who had 11 points and six rebounds, has tried to be a more vocal leader, especially on the defensive end.
“It’s good to be back here,” said Jackson-Davis, who missed most of last season’s summer league with an injury. “We have a great team and a great offense. When we move the ball, we’re hard to stop, and that’s what we did in the first half. We slowed down a little bit in the second half and they caught up to us, but we stayed focused at the end and got the win. [win].”
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