In a heart-pounding thriller that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Golden State Warriors staged an epic 17-point comeback to edge out the Memphis Grizzlies 114-113 on Monday night. But the real bombshell? Pat Spencer’s post-game revelation that captured the essence of brotherhood in the NBA, summing it up in just three powerful words: “It’s pretty special.”
Leading the charge was none other than Spencer himself, who poured in a team-high 17 points, while his close comrade Gui Santos sealed the deal with a clutch game-winning layup at the 19.4-second mark, adding 16 points of his own. These two unsung heroes, forged in the fires of the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors, finally got their moment in the spotlight—proving that patience, grit, and unbreakable bonds can topple even the toughest deficits.
The Dynamic Duo’s Rise from the Depths
Spencer and Santos aren’t just teammates; they’re brothers in arms, having clawed their way up together since joining the Warriors organization. From endless shuttles between Santa Cruz and the big leagues to late-night dinners and off-court hangouts, their journey has been a rollercoaster of highs, lows, and everything in between.
Post-game, Spencer didn’t hold back when asked about Santos’ heroics. Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area, he gushed, “Man, I’m pumped for Gui. We’ve spent so much time together. Hiking back and forth from Santa Cruz to dinners, to just getting to know each other off the court.”
But it was his reflection on their shared grind that hit home hardest: “It’s pretty stressful. I mean, this league, I think, moves fast. You lose teammates as time goes on, but we’ve been here from the jump together. Our first year here was together, so it’s pretty special. I’m really happy for him.”
Embed X: https://twitter.com/NBCSWarriors/status/2021102920817836328
Those three words—”It’s pretty special”—echoed through the arena like a mic drop, highlighting the raw emotion of two players who’ve waited years for validation. As the Warriors tweeted: “It’s pretty special.” Pat Spencer gave a heartwarming answer on his bond with Gui Santos 🥹
Proving Their Worth in the Spotlight
Pat Spencer #61 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket.
Both players spent the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons honing their skills in Santa Cruz, watching from the sidelines as others got the call-up. It tested their resolve, but this season, they’ve burst onto the scene. Spencer has been on fire, averaging 16 points over his last four games, while Santos has dropped 15 points per game in his last seven outings.
Their timing couldn’t be better. With Stephen Curry sidelined and Kristaps Porzingis yet to debut, the Warriors are leaning on these G League graduates for that extra spark. Just recently, Golden State locked in Spencer with a full NBA contract for the rest of the 2025-26 season—a nod to his relentless energy.
Santos, ever the supportive wingman, praised his buddy after a recent loss to the Lakers: “I’m always happy to see a guy like Pat get an extended contract with the team because he deserves it. I can see that he works really hard every day, and you can see on the court.”
He even noted the electric vibe Spencer brings: “You can see when we play at home, he gets in the game, and the defense goes crazy. Everybody loves him. He’s just a great guy to be around and a great player.”
What This Means for the Warriors’ Playoff Push
Steve Kerr coaches the Golden State Warriors from the sidelines.
Sitting at 29-25 and clinging to eighth place in the Western Conference, the Warriors are in a dogfight for playoff positioning. With one more tilt against the San Antonio Spurs before the All-Star break, every win counts to dodge another grueling play-in tournament.
Enter Spencer and Santos: the perfect role players who thrive without the ball, injecting energy and making hustle plays that don’t always show up in the box score. Monday’s nail-biter was a masterclass—Spencer’s scoring kept them afloat, and Santos’ layup, set up by Al Horford’s offensive boards, delivered the dagger.
Locked into their current roster—no trades, no splashy additions—the Dubs need these two more than ever. As head coach Steve Kerr fine-tunes his system, Spencer and Santos embody the “next man up” mentality that’s kept Golden State relevant through injuries and roster flux.
The Deeper Bond That Fuels the Fire
What makes this comeback story a true bombshell isn’t just the on-court drama; it’s the off-court saga. In a league where careers flash by and loyalties shift, Spencer and Santos’ friendship stands as a beacon. Those “hiking” trips from Santa Cruz? They weren’t mere commutes—they were therapy sessions, goal-setting powwows, and mutual motivation amid the uncertainty of two-way deals.
They’ve endured the G League grind, the call-up snubs, and the endless wait for their shot. Now, contributing to a playoff contender? It’s validation on steroids. Monday’s win wasn’t just a W; it was a triumph for every underdog who’s ever hustled in the shadows.
As the Warriors gear up for the stretch run, expect more magic from this Bay Area coup. Spencer and Santos aren’t just playing for wins—they’re playing for each other. And in the NBA’s cutthroat world, that’s pretty special indeed.