Outside of Stephen Curry, no one on the Golden State Warriors deserves more praise and recognition than Kelly Oubre. The young forward has embraced his role and done everything asked of him up to this point.
It’s time to give credit where credit is due, Kelly Oubre Jr. has been an absolute blessing for the Golden State Warriors.
According to Shams Charania, Oubre had been attempting to play through a torn ligament in his hand before re-aggravating it during Saturday’s game in Houston. It’s likely Oubre is now sidelined for the remainder of the season but his grit and determination towards helping the team is unmatched.
Warriors’ Kelly Oubre Jr. has a torn ligament in his left wrist and a fracture on the palm, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Oubre reaggravated his wrist on April 9, missed 11 days and returned for five games, attempting to play through the injury and compete on the floor.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2021
Throughout the entire season, Oubre has played with as much fire and heart as anyone on the roster. Even when his shot wasn’t falling, Oubre provided a burst of intensity that made it difficult to keep him off the floor.
His dedication to checking the opposing team’s best player has made Oubre one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Combine this with his hustle on the glass and ability to space the floor and it’s easy to see why Oubre has become so important to the Dubs.
Oubre recently had the best season of his career in Phoenix before joining the Warriors and accepting a decreased role next to Curry. Though his scoring has dwindled, his all-around game has improved and he’s shown a willingness to learn from the veterans on his team.
Most notably, Oubre accepted his role on the bench recently, averaging 17.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in his return to the floor. This will be crucial next season if he decides to remain in Golden State, as he lays down the blueprint for flourishing as a sixth man behind Klay Thompson.
Whether or not Oubre signs back is yet to be seen — but the Warriors should be thanking him for everything he has contributed this season.