In a stunning turn of events, Brandin Podziemski delivered a game-changing performance that propelled the Golden State Warriors to a 128-117 upset victory over the Denver Nuggets. But it was his post-game reaction—summed up in just five words—that captured the essence of his breakthrough moment.
“Everything feels like slow motion,” Podziemski said, describing the flow state that fueled his fourth-quarter dominance.
The third-year guard’s concise reflection mirrored the assessment from Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who had just praised Podziemski’s ability to find balance and let the game come to him rather than forcing plays.
Podziemski’s heroics were on full display in the final period, where he scored 15 of his 18 points on flawless 6-of-6 shooting. Entering the fourth with only three points on 1-of-10 from the field, he flipped the script, igniting a surge that turned the tide against a formidable Nuggets squad.
This wasn’t just about the stats—though they were impressive. Podziemski added a career-high 15 rebounds and nine assists, falling just short of his first NBA triple-double while posting a game-high plus-19 rating in nearly 37 minutes of action.
The Warriors were severely shorthanded, missing stars like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Draymond Green. Facing a Nuggets team powered by Nikola Jokić’s monster 35-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist triple-double, Podziemski stepped up with expanded responsibilities and delivered when it mattered most.
Kerr highlighted the shift in Podziemski’s approach: “When he moves the ball and then gets it back, it’s totally different. The defense is closing out. He can use that leverage to get past people, make a pass, score a layup. He’s a really unique player—but he’s still finding his way.”
Podziemski’s season has been marked by ups and downs, with his confidence sometimes drawing criticism amid fluctuating roles and shooting slumps. But on this night, it was all about composure over bravado. The shots that felt rushed earlier suddenly flowed naturally, the reads became instinctive, and the pace shifted in Golden State’s favor.
“I made some shots and felt a little bit like I was in a flow state,” Podziemski elaborated earlier, setting the stage for his five-word bombshell that encapsulated the “sweet spot” Kerr has long emphasized.
This performance wasn’t billed as a definitive breakthrough by either Kerr or Podziemski, but it served as a powerful glimpse of potential. Against a championship-caliber team and a three-time MVP in peak form, Podziemski didn’t force the issue—he let the game unfold, and the Warriors reaped the rewards.
As Podziemski put it in those unforgettable five words: “Everything feels like slow motion.” His goal? To chase that feeling every time he steps on the court.