Golden State Warriors: Quinn Cook must be a ‘Splash Bro’ in Game 3

After stepping up big to help the Golden State Warriors tie the series, Quinn Cook will need to become the unofficial third “Splash Brother” in Game 3.

The Golden State Warriors tied the series one game apiece with the Toronto Raptors in another “Strength in Numbers” manner.

After a sluggish first half offensively, Golden State went on another of their signature third-quarter runs to not only erase a double-digit deficit but take the lead, and a commanding double-digit lead at that.

Stephen Curry bounced back from his sickness, Klay Thompson single-handedly kept the Warriors within reach in the first half, Draymond Green again nearly reached a triple-double and DeMarcus Cousins, playing his first meaningful minutes since tearing his quad, was perhaps the second best playmaker on the floor.

Let’s not forget Andre Igoudala’s dagger to send the series back to Oracle tied.

But what can’t be forgotten amidst that signature third-quarter run was the contributions from the Warriors’ bench to not only hold their lead but extend it. The now-viral image of Stephen Curry and Quinn Cook celebrating to the chagrin of Drake on the sidelines was precipitated by two key back-to-back plays from Quinn Cook.

Specifically, he hit two three-pointers to extend the Warriors’ lead in a “Splash Brother” fashion. For a moment there, he looked like the long-lost third Splash Brother.

Cook played a key 21 minutes off the bench in Game 3, scoring nine points and going 3-5 from beyond the arc. But with Klay Thompson’s status uncertain it’s clear that Cook will need to emulate that same mindset once again Wednesday night at Oracle.

Were Kevin Durant to be officially in the fold, the extra shooting and scoring duties would rest comfortably on his shoulders. But despite Durant expected to return midway through the Finals, a Game 3 appearance is still unclear. Regardless whether he suits up or not, it’ll be up to his PG County peer to come up big once again.

Quin Cook has proven to step up in the moments when called upon. He did it last year when Golden State was without Stephen Curry late into the season and early into the playoffs. He’s done it again this postseason with injuries hounding the defending champs. Make no mistake he’ll get called upon again at Oracle.

But Cook knows the moment isn’t too big for him. The difference from a year ago? Now he’s got experience in his back pocket, proven to show up on the biggest stage.

For the Warriors to three-peat and set their place in history, they need an appearance from the unofficial third Splash Brother. In Game 3, that’s number four Quinn Cook.