Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Gui Santos shines in Santa Cruz Warriors’ heartbreaking loss to the Stockton Kings

By William Spencer

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warrior shoots a foul shot against the Miami Heat in the second half during the California Classic at Chase Center on July 05, 2022 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 - JULY 05: Gui Santos #15 of the Golden State Warrior shoots a foul shot against the Miami Heat in the second half during the California Classic at Chase Center on July 05, 2022 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

On December 30th, most fans were watching the Golden State Warriors extend their home winning-streak to four games with a hard-fought 118-112 come-from-behind effort to beat the Portland Trail Blazers.

But at Kaiser Permanente Arena, 20-year-old second-round pick Gui Santos was having the breakout game of his career. The Brazilian had 31 points against the Stockton Kings, but it wasn’t enough for the Santa Cruz Warriors to record an important win.

Despite a career-high 31 points from Gui Santos, the Golden State Warriors’ G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors, lost a heartbreaker to the Stockton Kings 113-112 in overtime.

After a slow start to his campaign, the 6’7”, 185 lbs wing has impressive stat totals across 17 games with Santa Cruz to date. Santos scored 31 points in 27 minutes on 11-for-18 from the field, 3-for-6 from three-point range, and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. He also added eight rebounds, five of which were offensive, to go with three assists and four steals. In two games outside the Showcase Cup, Santos is averaging 16.5 points on 57% from the field and 38% from distance while contributing eight rebounds, two assists and two steals per game.

Santa Cruz turned the ball over ten times in the third quarter, helping the Kings close the lead at 79-72 heading into the final-quarter. Santos, Dusty Hannahs and Lester Quinones helped carry a double-digit lead late, before Kings’ guard and former NBA veteran Trey Burke continued his assault to close the lead in the final minutes.

A foul on Burke with a minute remaining tied the game, before Stockton took the lead with 37 seconds remaining in the contest. Warriors’ center Jayce Johnson tied the game at 106 and sent the contest into what was an up-and-down overtime. Santa Cruz surrendered the first five points then scored the next six to take a one-point lead, but the Kings’ Chance Comanche provided a tip-in with no time left on the clock to send the Santa Cruz fans home disappointed.

Next. Golden State Warriors win crazy double OT thriller behind Thompson’s 54 and Looney’s buzzer-beater. dark

Santos’ sacrifice to remain in Santa Cruz rather than return to Brazil is beginning to pay dividends. Under the guidance of the Warriors’ development staff, the young wing is now on track to join the Warriors’ second-tier core of Jordan Poole, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins next season.

Home/Warriors News