It’s no secret Kelly Ourbe Jr. has struggled since joining the Golden State Warriors. To start the 2020-21 season, Oubre Jr. is averaging 11.1 points on 35.0% shooting from the field with 5.5. rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Oubre Jr. has failed to find a rhythm from beyond the arc with the Warriors, shooting a career-low 19.7% from long distance.
However, on Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, things were different. Oubre Jr. helped spark a valiant 19 point comeback against the defending champs, scoring a season-high 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field. Oubre Jr. was able to find his shot from deep, hitting a pair of 3-pointers on eight attempts.
On defense, Oubre Jr. was everywhere, recording two blocks and two steals. With Golden State’s comeback mounting, Oubre Jr. forced a crucial turnover on an inbound pass from LeBron James. On the next play, Oubre Jr. slashed through the lane for a game-tying layup with a little over three minutes remaining.
Via @NBAFantasy on Twitter:
Big plays down the stretch from Kelly Oubre Jr. propel the @warriors to a comeback win! 🙌
23 PTS | 2 STL | 2 BLK | 39.8 FPTSpic.twitter.com/XmXQSmE3z2
— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) January 19, 2021
Following the Warriors 115-113 win over the Lakers, Draymond Green had high praise for his new teammate during a postgame video conference. The former Defensive Player of the Year said Oubre Jr. is “finding his confidence.”
He was great. He was great on both sides of the ball. Especially during that second half, he was amazing defensively. The entire game he was great offensively. He’s really finding his confidence. He’s finding his way on this team. He’s knocking shots down — which is huge. But he’s also slashing in the lane more. I think that’s been great for him. He’s getting to the basket, and it’s not like he’s getting there with someone helping him. He’s putting his head down and getting to the cup. Huge game for us tonight. We need him to continue to build on that.
Oubre Jr. will have the opportunity to build off his performance from Monday during Golden State’s home tilt the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
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