The Golden State Warriors were missing almost every familiar face on Saturday night, and the situation didn’t look promising when they arrived in Cleveland. With so many regular starters unavailable, the team needed someone to take charge. Pat Spencer ended up being that player.
Golden State defeated the Cavaliers, 99-94, and the win felt bigger than the score showed. Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green remained out with injuries. Al Horford, De’Anthony Melto,n and Seth Curry also weren’t able to play, leaving the Warriors with a lineup full of role players and backups.
That led to Spencer receiving his first-ever start, and he made the most of it. The 29-year-old guard didn’t play like someone filling in – he played like someone ready to win.
Spencer makes his moment count
Spencer shot efficiently, scoring 19 points while hitting seven of his 12 attempts from the field. He pushed the pace, found shooters in rhythm, and controlled the ball with confidence. His final line included seven assists, four rebounds, three three-pointers, and a steal. More importantly, he helped keep the offense steady when the Cavaliers made late pushes.
His performance wasn’t completely unexpected. Earlier in the week, he scored 16 points in a loss to Philadelphia, which helped earn him extra minutes. But Saturday was different because this time he was guiding the team from the start of the game.
His approach was simple – make good decisions, keep the ball moving and take open shots. The Warriors responded, especially early in the fourth quarter when Cleveland tried to close the gap.
The win showed that Golden State could still compete even with so many absences, and Spencer was at the center of that effort.
Kerr’s reaction sparks an apology
After the game, Steve Kerr spoke about how Spencer changed the rhythm of the offense, and his excitement got ahead of him. While praising Spencer, the Warriors coach slipped in a word he immediately regretted. He paused, apologized, and asked if he might get in trouble for saying it.
His reaction wasn’t frustration – it was admiration. Kerr explained that the team gets cleaner looks with Spencer handling the ball. The spacing improves, players cut more freely, and the overall confidence rises. It was clear Kerr believed Spencer wasn’t just filling space – he was leading.
The Warriors won’t have long to enjoy the moment. They head to Chicago next for the second half of a back-to-back stretch, and Curry is still expected to be sidelined with a quad issue. That likely puts Spencer back in the starting lineup.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Eastern time.
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