San Francisco – In a matchup against the top team in the Western Conference, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr used his 28th different starting lineup, featuring rookie center Quinten Post. Post played eight minutes before Kerr turned to veteran Kevon Looney for a better matchup, helping Golden State secure a 116-109 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Loon was fantastic, probably the key to the game,” Kerr said. “That’s a lot to ask of Quinten, his first game with the best team in the league. The game moved fast for Quinten, and we had Loon in our pocket, and he was ready to play.”
Post made his first career start tonight against OKC, stepping into a key role for the Warriors. His ability to dominate both offensively and defensively in the paint has made a strong case for his place in the lineup. Over the last five games, Post has showcased his defensive prowess, effectively guarding opposing big men and proving he’s the right fit for the job.
But tonight, the rookie picked up three fouls and committed two turnovers, prompting Kerr to pull him from the game immediately. As Kerr explained, the pace was too fast for Post to adjust, especially since he’s not accustomed to starting against a team atop the Western Conference.
As part of Kerr’s latest lineup experiment, Tracye Jackson-Davis—previously the Warriors’ primary center—will now come off the bench. Kerr has been searching for the right rotation amid the team’s ongoing injury struggles since the start of the season.
However, constant lineup changes have disrupted team chemistry, making it difficult for Golden State to gain momentum in a highly competitive Western Conference. The Warriors have struggled against top-tier opponents while finding success against teams with losing records, highlighting their inconsistency as they fight to stay in playoff contention.
Looney scored a career-high tying 18 points (3/17/23 at ATL). He also recorded a career-high eight free throws (prev. six, 3/17/23 at ATL).
“Loon and Quinten have been playing well,” Kerr said postgame. “Quinten gives us a completely different look with the pick-and-pop, but he’s also a big guy down there, seven feet, he takes up space and moves pretty well. I think Trayce is doing fine; it’s just it’s more so that Quinten has stepped up and taken those minutes.”
Golden State has used 28 different starting lineups this season, matching the Philadelphia 76ers (28). Last season, the Warriors also used 27 different starting lineups. No Golden State player has started every game this season; however, Buddy Hield is the only Warrior to have played in every game.
Golden State won the season series against the Thunder 2-1. Tonight’s victory snapped a three-game home losing streak to Oklahoma City. The Warriors have now won four of the last five season series against the Thunder.
The Warriors overcame a 14-point deficit to secure a 116-109 win, marking their eighth double-digit comeback victory of the season and their second in as many games (having rallied from 10 points down to defeat the Jazz 114-103 last night).
Gary Payton II recorded a season-high 15 points (previously 12 on 1/25 vs. LAL) and matched his season-high with nine rebounds (previously set on 11/25 vs. BKN).
Stephen Curry notched his 24th game of the season with 20 or more points and surpassed Ray Allen (24,505) for 27th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
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