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Golden State Warriors need their second unit to step up in Game 5

By Nathan Beighle

Apr 18, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Nemanja Bjelica (8) controls a rebound against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first quarter of game two of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Nemanja Bjelica (8) controls a rebound against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first quarter of game two of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Golden State Warriors’ second unit is getting limited minutes and opportunities, but they need to step up if the Dubs want to close out the series in Game 5.

The Warriors got little from their bench outside of two-time MVP Stephen Curry who is still seeing his first action with the second unit. Curry is coming off the bench, having yet to start after a mid-March foot sprain.

The Golden State Warriors are going to want to close out the series at home in Game 5, but they’ll need some contributions from their bench to do so.

Aside from Curry, the Dubs bench had 10 points, 9 of them coming from rookie Jonathan Kuminga. Otto Porter Jr. had the other one.

Porter Jr., Andre Iguodala, and Gary Payton II combined for 1 point in 35 minutes. While their main goal on the floor isn’t necessarily to score but to impact the game on the boards and defensively, Golden State needs more from them moving forward.

The Dubs, if Curry would return to the starting lineup and Kevon Looney would head to the second unit (it’s more realistic that Jordan Poole is benched), the Dubs would then be among the bottom four teams in the playoffs in bench scoring.

This isn’t just a one-game sample size either. In Game 3, the Warriors ended up winning 118-113, but their bench didn’t help much. Iggy, Porter Jr., Payton II, and Nemanja Bjelica all combined for 23 points in 64 minutes.

It was a better showing, but the Dubs’ second unit needs to take their game to the next level.

The Warriors may be able to close out the series without much help from their bench, but it won’t be easy. Having Porter Jr. and Payton be able to shoot from deep and adequately space the floor will be paramount not just for a Game 5 win but for the remainder of the postseason.

The Dubs’ non-Steph bench has scored 23 or more in both home games this series, so there should be some hope that they’ll have a decent Game 5.

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It’ll important that at least in the near future they come alive and provide a playmaking spark for an elite Golden State offense.

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