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Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr makes rotation change on eve of Playoffs

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Oshae Brissett #12 and Isaiah Jackson #22 of the Indiana Pacers go for a rebound against Moses Moody #4 and Anthony Lamb #40 of the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on December 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Oshae Brissett #12 and Isaiah Jackson #22 of the Indiana Pacers go for a rebound against Moses Moody #4 and Anthony Lamb #40 of the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on December 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors got a crucial win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday, with the 119-97 victory showcasing the sort of rotation we might see from head coach Steve Kerr come playoff time.

The defending champions can secure their berth with a win over the Portland Trail Blazers to close the regular season. That will prove fruitful for multiple reasons, with the franchise hoping for a break in which they can rest key players but also ramp up the workload for Andrew Wiggins.

Steve Kerr made a change to the Golden State Warriors rotation against the Sacramento Kings, much to the plaudits of many fans.

Wiggins, who will have missed the final 25 games of the regular season, is the final piece to the playoff puzzle. After an odd starting lineup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, Kerr went back to what’s best against the Kings. Golden State’s core four of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney started, with Donte DiVincenzo again inserted in place of Wiggins.

Andrew Wiggins is ramping up towards a return for the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Andrew Wiggins is ramping up towards a return for the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /

While the starting lineup might be the more integral part of the Warriors’ plans, fans may have been more impressed with the fact Moses Moody jumped Anthony Lamb in Friday’s rotation. It’s something many have been asking for, yet may have taken until game 81 to eventually materialize.

Moody was the ninth and final man in the rotation, at least until Kerr pulled his main guys with just over four minutes remaining. His season-best performance against the Thunder on Tuesday, which included 13 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes, was clearly a reminder to the coach of the 20-year-old’s capabilities. Lamb, on the other hand, was absent despite being a regular part of the mix this season.

The whole Moody v Lamb discussion is really a moot point anyway. When Wiggins returns, and should he do so at somewhere near his best level, then neither are likely to see the floor. Golden State will have a nine-man rotation that includes their usual starting five, along with Jordan Poole, DiVincenzo, Gary Payton II and Jonathan Kuminga.

Next. Golden State Warriors taking necessary risk with Andrew Wiggins return. dark

Although Moody’s ascension above Lamb is far from complete, and Kerr will mix-and-match depending on form and opponent, it’s a change that holds some significance moving forward. This season almost looked loss for the second-year wing, but he’s salvaged something and now appears a worthy option as a playable 10th man in a playoff rotation.

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