Brandin Podziemski delivered a defining performance in Golden State’s 128-117 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the final five minutes. “Felt a little bit in the flow state there and I think as a whole we just found some confidence,” Podziemski said of his fourth-quarter surge.
The guard described his approach to shooting under pressure: “I try not to let it affect me either way. If I make it or I miss it… just keep shooting whatever the game calls for.” His confidence translated across both ends of the court as the Warriors closed the game on a 19-8 run.
Podziemski also highlighted the importance of assertiveness in crunch time. “I think it was just me and Melt out there just kind of taking turns doing that… usually a lot of times when teams switch, we get a little stagnant and undecisive,” he explained, crediting guidance from teammates like Stephen Curry, who told him, “Shoot whatever shots you want to shoot, but just be decisive.”
The guard reflected on the sensation of being in the zone: “Everything feels slow motion kind of… really the last three jump shots I had just felt really slow… the goal is to always try to find that, the great players do that, and so that’s really what it felt like.”
Podziemski’s impact extended beyond scoring. He grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds, noting, “It helps if you go all the time… reading the ball off the rim, floating around those elbows as a guard, you get some of those too… and then just having a little effort going offensively.” On enjoying rebounding, he said, “I started as a center… so I always had a knack for being around the rim and getting rebounds.”
Assessing his season, Podziemski focused on the present rather than the bigger picture: “I just look at the now… we got 25 games left and just try to win as many of those as you can.” He also spoke on balancing ball dominance with team play: “During the game, I don’t think about it. I just do what the game calls for… the worst thing you could do is go out there and second guess your decisions.”
Sunday’s victory came despite Golden State missing key players Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porzingis, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. Podziemski emphasized the confidence gained from winning under such circumstances: “To be able to just, you know, find a way short-handed to win a game like this… definitely should build confidence for us as a group going into New Orleans on Tuesday.”
With 18 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists, Podziemski posted a team-best plus-19 in 37 minutes. His performance highlighted Golden State’s depth, resilience, and ability to execute under pressure, reinforcing the Warriors’ momentum in the Western Conference playoff picture.
