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Kelly Oubre Jr. could be the key to a Warriors postseason run

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors looks on while waiting to come in to the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 26, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Golden State Warriors looks on while waiting to come in to the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on March 26, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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With three games left on the schedule, the Golden State Warriors are heading down the stretch playing very good basketball. It’s been positive to see them rattling off wins, despite being highly favored in most games as of late.

The Warriors are not even close to full strength, and they won’t be able to get all their personnel back before their postseason run as standout rookie center James Wiseman has been ruled out for the season.

However, they may be able to get starting shooting guard Kelly Oubre Jr. back, and that could have a major impact on the team’s playoff chances.

The Golden State Warriors are a week away from beginning their postseason quest, and Kelly Oubre Jr. could be key to their postseason run.

Oubre Jr. started 50 games for the Warriors this season, playing in 55 in total. He’ll likely remain out for the remainder of the regular season with a torn ligament in his write and a fracture in his palm.

If he can return, Oubre Jr. will give the Warriors a big-time boost.

He was their third-leading scorer, and he’s one of the few Warriors that can create their own shot. While he wasn’t at the same level as last season, Oubre Jr. was averaging 15.4 points per game this season.

He’s shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from deep. Both can be improved, but the playmaking and energy that he brings would be crucial to the team’s success in a potential postseason run.

Along with Andrew Wiggins, Oubre Jr. and Stephen Curry are the two players that can take over a game.

While it’s rarer to see it from Oubre Jr., he did solely beat the Dallas Mavericks with a career-high 40-point game earlier this season. The Warriors are 17-11 when Oubre Jr. scores at least 15 points.

That may not seem great, but currently sitting in 8th place in the Western Conference, the Warriors are just 35-33.

It’s easy to see that Oubre Jr. makes this team better, and with his presence off the bench, the team can maintain leads with a playmaking threat on the second unit. It’s a perfect trade-off after Curry plays the entire first quarter.

Obviously, this team lives or dies by Curry, but the role players could be what make or break the team’s postseason run. If Mychal Mulder, Oubre Jr., and Wiggins are hitting with an aggressive Draymond Green, the Warriors have the chance to knock off a team like Phoenix.

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With the Suns and Jazz at the top of the West, the Warriors have a chance to play a team without too much postseason experience or championship pedigree. Sure, it’s unlikely they knock them off, but if Oubre Jr. returns and Jordan Bell makes an impact for this roster, anything could happen.

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