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Golden State Warriors’ youngster finds shooting stroke in blowout G League loss

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic shoots between Moses Moody #4 and Patrick Baldwin Jr. #7 of the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at Chase Center on January 07, 2023 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 - JANUARY 07: Moritz Wagner #21 of the Orlando Magic shoots between Moses Moody #4 and Patrick Baldwin Jr. #7 of the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at Chase Center on January 07, 2023 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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Golden State Warriors’ rookie Patrick Baldwin Jr. has found his shooting stroke despite Santa Cruz’ blowout loss to the South Bay Lakers at UCLA Health Training Center on Sunday.

After some impressive shooting displays in limited minutes for Golden State over the last month, Baldwin shot just 5-for-17 from the field and 2-for-10 from three-point range in his return for Santa Cruz on Friday. However, Baldwin’s sweet shooting stroke was back on display in an offensive-minded matchup in Los Angeles.

After earning a hard-fought win against the South Bay Lakers on Friday, the Golden State Warriors’ G League affiliate were blown out 152-118 in the teams’ most recent matchup.

Baldwin made four of his seven three-point attempts and went 7-for-10 overall on his way to 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Unfortunately the Warriors’ offensive output wasn’t matched by their defense, with the Lakers shooting 60% from the floor and 50% from three-point range in a one-sided contest.

South Bay put up 81 first-half points to take a decisive 19-point lead. They won each of the four-quarters in a dominant display against a Santa Cruz team boasting three NBA contracted players — Baldwin, Ryan Rollins and Moses Moody.

Moody was making his second outing of the season for Santa Cruz, with the second-year wing having scored 26 points in the team’s 119-117 win on Friday. He failed to impact the game in a productive fashion on Sunday though, recording a game-low -41 in plus-minus. The 20-year-old did have 20 points and four rebounds on 6-for-15 shooting and 4-for-8 from deep, but he also recorded four turnovers.

Rollins came off the bench again, playing 26 minutes and tallying 17 points (7-for-18 shooting), five rebounds and three assists. While there’s been encouraging signs in the G League, Rollins place on the Golden State roster could be under threat if the the franchise looks at options in the buyout market.

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Santa Cruz finished with a 5-6 record in January, but after six games on the road, the Warriors will now return home to Kaiser Permanente Arena for a game against the Ontario Clippers on Friday.

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