Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski spoke after the 115-110 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday at Intuit Dome, as both teams now prepare for a decisive play-in rematch on Wednesday in Inglewood.
Podziemski confirmed an early scare during the game, describing the contact that briefly slowed him down in the first half. “Just knee to knee with Lopez, but I’m good.”
He also reflected on completing a full regular season workload, emphasizing durability across a demanding schedule. “It’s not easy with this day and age with the games and the speed of the game and the amount of back-to-backs we got. So just being able to prepare my body for all 82 is definitely special for me.”
The Warriors guard noted that the matchup offered limited strategic clarity heading into the postseason-style rematch. “Not really. Just more so personnel. Seeing Darius and Mathurin a little bit more comfortable than the first time after the trade deadline. So just some personnel stuff and seeing how comfortable they are, stuff they like to do. And that’s pretty much it though.”
Attention now shifts to execution in a single-elimination environment, where mistakes are magnified. Podziemski pointed directly to the area that could decide Wednesday’s outcome. “Not turning the ball over. At least since I’ve been here, they’ve done a good job against us turning us over. So turnovers is probably the main thing and then just honing in on defense, staying in the gaps, making them shoot above the break threes and knowing who we want to shoot for them.”
He also highlighted the scheduling advantage of remaining in one location before the rematch. “Absolutely. We might have to go to Portland anyways, but it’s better to stay here than go LA, Portland, back here.”
Podziemski explained how the modern pace and spacing of the game increase physical demands over a long season. “I think it’s a lot more transition, flow offense, running the floor, a lot less half court sets. A lot less time of possession, so there’s a lot of transition in between. And as time goes on you’re just going to see more and more players are more skilled. And so the amount of force you got to generate on your body, both offense and defense, consistently over time, I think that’s what makes it difficult.”
Looking ahead to the win-or-go-home environment, he described the approach as familiar to postseason pressure. “We got guys that been there, guys that have won. Guys that have played meaningful basketball in the recent years and it always helps when you got Steph. So I think that’s to our advantage and yeah, I think I like us probably better than anybody in a one game situation.”
He also emphasized the mindset required for elimination basketball, drawing from prior experience. “I think it’s similar just like a game seven. You just leave it all out there with nothing else to give knowing that your season could be over with and you just take that approach and try to find any way to win no matter how ugly it looks.”
Podziemski closed by addressing locker room balance and preparation for Wednesday’s intensity, noting internal leadership and energy within the group as Golden State shifts into must-win mode.
