Due to injuries and matchups, the Golden State Warriors have shuffled through a flurry of different starting lineups throughout the first and second rounds of the postseason. Gary Payton II, Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga have entered the starting lineup at different times.
With injuries to Payton II, Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr., the Warriors opted to start a familiar face in Game 6 on Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Kevon Looney returned to his role as starting center alongside Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson and Steph Curry.
The veteran big man was a key contributor in Golden State’s close-out performance in Game 6. On the way to punching a ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a 110-96 win, Looney grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds against the Grizzlies. Looney’s 22 rebound effort was the most boards from a member of the Warriors in the playoffs since 1987.
After the series-clinching win in Game 6, acting head coach Mike Brown gave credit to Draymond Green and Steph Curry when asked about the decision to put Looney into the starting lineup.
It was debated a little bit, but the reality was it was Draymond’s call, Draymond and Steph’s. It’s our job to give our players confidence, and they looked us all in the eye and said, that’s where we are going to get our confidence. And they have done it before, Draymond has carried this organization for years with his hard hat. Obviously Steph and Klay with their shooting but what Draymond does, it’s unbelievable, and Steve is going to roll with Draymond no matter what he says and what the outcome is.
Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:
Mike Brown on the decision to start Kevon Looney: “It was Draymond’s call. Draymond and Steph.” pic.twitter.com/3CJLSLtdCb
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 14, 2022
Listen to Brown’s full postgame interview via Warriors Sound Cloud.
Depending on the matchup in the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors could continue to use a variety of different players in the starting lineup. Yet after Game 6, Looney proved he will be a factor in Golden State’s playoff run going forward.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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