The Golden State Warriors came agonizingly close to pulling off an epic comeback against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, and much of the credit goes to point guard Pat Spencer. His impressive recent performances have handed the franchise what should be a no-brainer decision regarding his future with the team.
In their last two outings, Spencer has been a pivotal force keeping the undermanned Warriors competitive against superior opponents. On Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he delivered 17 points, including a critical fadeaway jumper over Chet Holmgren that briefly put Golden State ahead in the fourth quarter.
However, in a decision that sparked some debate, head coach Steve Kerr opted to bench Spencer in the final minutes, inserting Brandin Podziemski instead. The move backfired as the Warriors were overwhelmed late in the game, leading to a disappointing loss.
Fast forward to Thursday’s matchup in Philadelphia, where Kerr faced a similar dilemma. This time, he chose to stick with Spencer down the stretch as the team mounted a furious rally against the 76ers—despite missing key stars like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green.
Kerr’s faith paid off handsomely. Spencer drained a clutch three-pointer in the last 90 seconds, capping off a 16-point performance in just 24 minutes. Although the Warriors ultimately fell short, Spencer’s energy and steady play injected real hope into what could have been a blowout.
At this point, the Warriors must act decisively: convert Spencer’s two-way contract to a full standard NBA deal, just as they did last season. Under his current setup, he’s restricted in the number of games he can suit up for Golden State, which is a needless limitation given his contributions.
Sure, navigating the roster might present some challenges, but ignoring Spencer’s hot streak would be a mistake. He’s proven too valuable to sideline just as he’s hitting his stride.
Spencer has a golden opportunity to strengthen his case in the upcoming games, with Curry sidelined for the final two contests of the road trip. Kerr should seize the moment and start Spencer at point guard, allowing him to showcase consistent production with extended minutes.
Brandin Podziemski, on the other hand, has struggled with inconsistency, making Spencer the clear choice for this chance. Building on his back-to-back standout showings could solidify his push for that standard contract and cement his role in the Warriors’ rotation.