In their first game since Draymond Green‘s indefinite suspension, the Golden State Warriors fell to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Heading into the game, head coach Steve Kerr made the difficult decision to bench Andrew Wiggins and insert Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski into the starting lineup.
Both youngsters played well and gave the team an energy boost on both ends of the court. When speaking to the media after the game, Kerr noted how he’s going to stick with the new-look rotation over the next few games before making a decision on whether the change has worked.
“It felt like we needed a shift,” Kerr said. “I feel like Brandin gives us the extra playmaker on the floor in the starting lineup. … And then, JK deserves the minutes with Draymond out. It’s the perfect time for him to step in. It feels like a group that can really connect. And I like being able to bring Chris and Dario off the bench to anchor that unit. We’ve got a deep team, bringing Wiggins off the bench with Moses. … I’m gonna give it a look for sure; this group will start the next few games.”
With Green set to miss a prolonged period, Kerr’s decision to make some rotation adjustments was likely a little easier than it would have been. Podziemski and Kuminga have been standout performers off the bench this season and have earned their opportunity in the starting lineup.
Steve Kerr explains why he switched the starting lineup and mentions he plans to go with the same unit for the "next few games" 🔽 pic.twitter.com/niqpU90m7D
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 15, 2023
Now, the two youngsters will have a handful of games to prove they can produce against starting-level competition before Kerr decides whether the altered starting unit is worth sticking with.
